Two Charlottesville police vehicles chased a car thief around Charlottesville, Albermarle County and Fluvanna County for 20 minutes Tuesday morning.
A 1988 black Subaru station wagon was taken from a home in Albemarle County on Northwood Avenue, near the northeast end of the city. The owner, 22-year-old Steven Nagy, noticed his car was missing after returning home at 3 a.m.
The vehicle was spotted at approximately 4 a.m. and Charlottesville police gave chase.
The car was left open and the keys were inside the car.
City Police started chasing the thief in Albemarle County. The chase proceeded into the city of Charlottesville and near Grounds, down Jefferson Park Avenue, Maury Avenue and Shamrock Road.
The chase ended in Fluvanna County when City police declared the road conditions too hazardous to continue the pursuit.
"He pulled onto a gravel road off Route 620," Charlottesville Police Lt. Gary Pleasants said. "There were no lights on the road and the speeds were too fast. The police did not want to outrun their headlights. The dust from the road decreased visibility."
City police tried to evoke the aid of state police in Fluvanna County.
City Police say they currently do not have a suspect for the theft.
"The pursuit broke off in Fluvanna County," said a Charlottesville Police source.
According to City Police, the car never reached excessive speeds or drove recklessly. Speeds ranged from 25 to 60 miles per hour, Pleasants said.
The police described the driver as a white male with curly hair, but offered no age or further description of the car thief.
University Police Sgt. Melissa Fielding provided safety guidelines for drivers in Charlottesville and other areas.
"Antitheft devices are a good idea, especially in larger areas where theft is common," she said. "Windows should be rolled up, doors should be locked and keys should not be in the car. Car alarms are a good option."
Fielding also stressed the importance of vehicle placement.
"The vehicle should be parked in a well lit place if possible," she said.
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