Police Cruiser Left Unlocked, Running Stolen

NEW CARROLLTON, Md. - New Carrollton police say a cruiser left unlocked and running was stolen while a sergeant helped another officer serve arrest warrants.

Police Chief David Rice says an officer called for backup while trying to serve two arrest warrants at an apartment building on 85th Avenue around 3 a.m. Sunday.

Rice says Sgt. Vince Lyew responded, but when he left the car unlocked, a man jumped in and drove off.

Every officer in the agency, about a dozen, was called in to search for the cruiser. Rice says it was found an hour later between two buildings a block from the apartment building and nothing was missing.

Rice says it is a breach of protocol for an officer to leave his vehicle running and unlocked and Lyew will remain on normal duty status during an investigation of the incident.