Bronx, NY – A brazen car thief stole an NYPD highway patrol vehicle with a loaded shotgun inside this morning — and drove it all the way to LaGuardia Airport — after a cop left it idling and unmanned while he got breakfast at a Bronx diner.
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The heist occurred at the corner of Cruger and Lydig avenues in Morris Park shortly before 8 a.m. when an officer grabbed a bite to eat at Lydig Coffee House, said sources.
The car thief sped away in the hot wheels, a marked Chevy Tahoe, and headed over the Whitestone Bridge, said sources.
Witnesses said the red-faced officer was only in the diner for two minutes when he ran out in a panic.
“All of a sudden I see a cop come out of the restaurant running. He was going crazy,” said Sammy Obaid, an employee at a deli across from the greasy spoon. “He was on the phone, making calls. He was freaked out.”
Obaid said a customer came out of the diner got in a car with the officer to try to chase down the suspect, but they returned empty-handed to the scene after a few minutes.
About a half-hour later, two rookie Port Authority officers found the heisted car at La Guardia Airport, parked at the lower level of the US Airways terminal. They arrested the suspect inside the main terminal at 8:30 a.m. while he was on an Avis Car Rental phone, according to sources.
When PA cops approached the suspect, he had handcuffs dangling from his waistband and was carrying a blue clipboard, police paperwork, a police identification kit that scans drivers’ licenses and a wad of $100 bills, sources said.
The suspect said, “Oh, you got me,” when cops approached. But then told them that he was an officer.
In a nearby bathroom, PA police also found a stashed luggage bag and a police utility bag.
Police took thee suspect to the 49th Precinct in the Bronx for questioning.
At mid-morning, a swarm of NYPD officers was inspecting the vehicle, which was still idling at the airport. A loaded shotgun in the vehicle was not taken and remained locked in the car’s rack.
Flights in and out of LaGuardia appeared to be unaffected.
cant stop laughing
Time to dust off that resume…
Cool, I like that I think if the bronx would of had Shomrim it would never of happend!!!
And if he’d have been a terrorist….
Meanwhile, I wonder if the officer will have to pay the newly mandated $250 fine for having an unattended, idling, vehicle. (Or he could get the two days in jail)
this is hilarious!!! the cops fell off their high horse for a change!!! hahahahah
I like this story
What JOKE! The Police left his car unlocked and a loaded gun inside! These are the people who are protecting us. Very comforting!
The criminal cop, who went to the dinner during tax dollars paid time, drove a police vehicle for private use, left the keys in it idling unattended, akid could have done the same & killed himself & others.
The cop should be fired & stand trial, the thief here should get a medal for getting rid of a usless cop, & it should be a lesson to all cops. Zero tolerance no driving public property for personal use & no napping & noshing on the job.
pretty cool!!!! i find it very funny im surprised it hasent happened before when these police go in to dunkin dounuts LOL
That goes for eating breakfast in a Dinner
that cop is in trouble. He’ll never leave his door unlocked again with a loaded shotgun.
this is the worst security breach ever. the cops think they are untouchable. that could have abeen a terrorist best weapon.
This is a good one!
If I left my car unmanned ideling, I could be fined 200.00 according 2 mayor bloomy, I think we should issue a summons 2 the cop
sorry to tell you all this cop will get is some desk duty and no fines because we all know cops are above the law.
It was a hwy cop car, they all have shot guns in it.. Nothing wrong with going in to get a coffee no need to suspend or punish him…. -k-
Stop blaming the cop. Officers are human beings and are entitled to eat since they are on the road most of the day. Secondly your all full of hate because you get pulled over by these officers for driving like morons.
if you would behave while on the road you would have nothing bad to say and feel bad for the officer.
The officer is embarrased enough and should not loose anything over this.
Give the officer a break and the criminal should spend 10 years behind bars.
can happen to anyone, its a saturday morning! how many perps are really out at this time? oh well.
B”H
I don’t think its so wrong by cop but why do they leave the cars idling all time
he just needed a express ride to the airport
Cops are above the law we all know that nothing we can do about it
They arrested the suspect inside the main terminal at 8:30 a.m. while he was on an Avis Car Rental phone, according to sources.
This is too funny. He steals a police car, drives to the airport and goes to an Avis phone?
Gotta laugh!!!