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New York police: Man steals patrol car after keys left inside

NEW YORK – Police in the Bronx say a man jumped into a patrol car parked outside a police precinct and sped away early Sunday morning, reports CBS New York.

Investigators say 31-year-old Rubin Fernandez was able to steal the marked patrol car, which was parked at the New York Police Department’s 50th Precinct station house, because the keys were left inside it.

The suspect drove off around 6:30 a.m., going about one and a half miles, smashing into several vehicles along the way, before abandoning the car, police said.

Witness Carol D’Auria said she saw the suspect leave the patrol car behind.

“He hopped out of the car, walked down the block like nothing happened and caught a taxi,” D’Auria said.

Police say Fernandez was arrested after investigators received a tip. He face charges of grand larceny, reckless endangerment and criminal mischief.

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