SOUTHINGTON, Conn. — A woman, who was headed home from work early Wednesday morning, stopped for some gas but got more than just fuel in her car.
At approximately 1:15 AM, at the Exxon station on Queen Street in Southington, the woman, who left her car running and driver's door open, got out to remove the nozzle from her car, when surveillance video shows a man jump into the driver's seat and take off. The woman then tried to jump into the passenger side.
"At that time, he threatened to shoot her with a gun if she didn’t get out of the car," said Lt. Keith Egan, of the Southington Police Department. "He didn’t display a weapon however she quickly exited the car and he was able to drive off."
The male perpetrator and another man, seen running toward a parking lot next to the gas station, were described by an onlooker as white, Hispanic, males, perhaps in their late teens.
"We suspect that these suspects are probably lying in wait waiting for somebody to approach that looks like an easy victim coming into the gas station," Egan said, noting it was a perfect crime of opportunity, given she was alone and left her car running.
Then, three hours later, a hit.
"Utilizing some technology, we were able to locate the vehicle in Waterbury and with the assistance of Waterbury PD the vehicle was recovered," Egan stated.
The 2014 BMW X3 was processed at the Southington Police Department for prints and DNA.
"When I get gas I always turn off my car, I lock my car, I go inside, I come out, I pump my gas, then I let myself in my car," said a Southington resident, who asked not to be identified.
The victim trying to get back into her car is an example of what you should never do, according to police.
"Your life isn’t worth your car," said Egan. "Give him the car."
Police said, in addition to some personal items, the woman had $2,000 cash stolen from the vehicle.
Tony Terzi is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at tterzi@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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