Evansville, IN – A 33-year-old woman was arrested Thursday morning in connection with the theft of a vehicle left running to warm up in the 1400 block of Lodge Avenue.
According to the Evansville Police Department, officers responded to a report of a stolen car at approximately 8:30 a.m. The victim told police that he had started his white Toyota Camry to warm it up and briefly left the vehicle unattended. Upon returning, the car was gone.
Before the theft occurred, the victim noticed a woman walking in the area who appeared to be eyeing his car, glancing at it multiple times. Officers later located the stolen vehicle, which had been abandoned two blocks away at the intersection of Marshall and Taylor streets.
While investigating the area, police spoke with a woman wearing a black trench coat who matched the description of the suspect. The woman, later identified as Abby Lee Ballard, reportedly told officers that she “thought the car was hers” and believed “someone left the car for her.”
Ballard was arrested and transported to the Vanderburgh County Jail, where she is being held without bond. She faces a charge of auto theft.
The incident serves as a reminder of the risks associated with leaving vehicles unattended while running, even for short periods of time.
