Happening now: Middletown suspect steals warming-up car, crashes, knocks down utility pole and flees

A car warming up in bitterly cold temps was stolen on Friday, Jan. 25, 2019, from a Middletown residence and crashed a short time later  on Roosevelt Avenue, taking down a utility pole. ED RICHTER / STAFF

A car warming up in bitterly cold temps was stolen on Friday, Jan. 25, 2019, from a Middletown residence and crashed a short time later on Roosevelt Avenue, taking down a utility pole. ED RICHTER / STAFF

A car warming up in bitterly cold temperatures this morning was stolen from a Middletown residence and crashed a short time later taking down a utility pole, police said.

The Honda was running at a Helton Avenue residence about 10:15 a.m. when is was taken. The owner found the vehicle a short time later, and it was wrecked by the suspect on Roosevelt Avenue, according to Middletown Police Major David Birk.

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A utility pole is down as a result of the wreck and power lines are in the roadway. Roosevelt is closed between Marshall and Cincinnati-Dayton roads. The suspect fled, and officers and a police dog are searching the area now of the male suspect.

Birk reminded residents that they can be cited for letting a vehicle run unoccupied.

“We have had a few of them lately taken, then we find them later,” he said. “If you are going to do that make sure the vehicle is locked. It is just not a good idea either way.”

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