Thieves steal 3 cars left running unattended in Elk Grove Village

Thieves stole three cars within a six-day period in Elk Grove Village this month, and in each case the stolen vehicle had been left running unattended to warm up during cold weather.

Investigators have not linked the cases, other than all three occurred under similar circumstances, police said. But it has prompted police to remind drivers about the risks of leaving vehicles running unattended.

"We know that many people do it," Deputy Police Chief Michael Gaspari said. "They're leaving themselves as potential victims of these types of thefts."

A woman reported someone stole her 2013 Chevrolet Spark from a parking lot on the 600 block of Meacham Road about 12:35 a.m. Jan. 12.

The next day, another driver reported her 2006 Ford Fusion stolen from a parking lot on the 1100 block of Devon Avenue.

Last Wednesday, a woman reported a thief had stolen her 2016 Kia Sorrento from an apartment parking lot on the 900 block of Charlela Lane.

Investigators have not determined whether thieves staked out the locations or whether the thefts were crimes of opportunity, Gaspari said.

Illinois law prohibits drivers from leaving vehicles running unattended or with keys in the ignition.

"If anything there's the concern of you losing your vehicle," Gaspari said. "But there's also the concern you could be cited for leaving the vehicle unattended."

Police recovered the car stolen Jan. 12, Gaspari said, but the other two remain missing and investigators don't have any leads.