St. Paul warns about leaving keys in car after rash of vehicle thefts

For the second time in a week, a car was stolen in St. Paul with a dog inside, prompting city police to urge drivers not to leave their vehicles running and unattended.

A Door Dash driver stopped at home in the 400 block of English Street to change clothes about 1:30 a.m. Monday and left her 2020 Kia Forte running with her dog, Duke, and purse inside. When she returned minutes later, her car was gone.

Duke was reunited with his owner Tuesday, but the Kia has not been found, St. Paul police Sgt. Natalie Davis said.

The theft of the Kia was one of 11 that police have responded to since Sunday. In seven of the thefts, the owner had left keys inside their running vehicle. That prompted the Police Department to post a warning on its Facebook page.

"We hate to sound like a broken record player," police said in a statement Tuesday, "but please, don't leave your vehicle running unattended."

"Most importantly, don't leave your children, pets, cell phones, laptops, purses and any other valuables in your car, truck or SUV."

Last week, a thief made off with a blue 2006 Audi A6 sedan left running in the 1700 block of James Avenue. The owner had stepped inside his home, leaving his 4-month-old bullmastiff, Kua, in the car. When he returned, his dog and Audi were gone.

The owner, Matt Thoreen, offered a $5,000 reward in hopes of getting his dog back. As of Tuesday, the car had been recovered but not Kua, Davis said.

She said police were processing the Audi for evidence.

Police on Tuesday also posted photos of a woman who was recorded on surveillance video driving the stolen car.

Police said they don't know how the woman was involved in the theft, but "we want to talk to her ... and locate Kua."

Anybody with information is asked to call police at 651-291-1111.