Porsche stolen from Old Town gas station while pumping gas, police say

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A car thief stole a Porsche as its driver was pumping gas at an Old Town gas station Thursday afternoon.

Chicago police said a 35-year-old woman had the keys fob inside the Porsche Macan as she gassed it up in the 100 block of West North Avenue when the thief got into the car and drove away.

"This individual who stole this car, he was here specifically waiting for someone to leave the keys in and leave the engine running as they walked away and it didn't take long," said 2nd Ward Alderman Brian Hopkins.

No injuries were reported.

No one is currently in custody. An investigation by Chicago police is ongoing.

Ald. Hopkins said cameras at the Old Town Shell station will now be directly linked to the city's 911 dispatch to help police quickly respond to crimes.

Almost the same thing happened to another woman who was filling up her Audi SUV at a gas station on the Far Northwest Side earlier this month. City leaders say they're noticing a pattern on frigid days.

"We have to remind everyone in temperatures like this it's tempting to leave the engine running so you can have the heater going, but that is not the right thing to do. There are thieves that know you're going to do that. They're waiting, they're watching and they're ready to pounce the minute you walk away from your vehicle," Hopkins said.

Also Thursday, Demontae Walkins and Charles Benson appeared before a judge on charges of violent in attacking, robbing and carjacking several people Tuesday night just steps from Governor JB Pritzker's private Gold Coast mansion.

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