Unlocked, Running Van Stolen In Westlake

WESTLAKE, OH — A van was stolen at a gas station in Westlake, police announced.

On Jan. 17, at 7 p.m., a man parked his van at a gas pump at the BP station at Columbia and Detroit roads. The man went into the store to buy a drink, but left his van unlocked and running.

When the man came out of the store, 2 minutes later, the van was gone.

Police checked surveillance footage from the gas station and saw two people walk into the BP lot. Footage shows one of the people, a man, get into the van and drive off. He appears to pick-up his companion before they speed away.

The van was later found on Cleveland's west side on Thursday, police said. The van was intact.

Police are collecting evidence from the van and the investigation into the theft continues, a police spokesperson said.