Cops: Attempted Flanders car thief got stuck in driveway

An attempted car thief showed how not to steal a car last week in Flanders, according to a Southampton Town police report. 

A woman called police to say that at about 2:50 a.m. on Saturday, July 26, an unknown person entered her Flanders Road property, got in the driver’s seat and started the engine with keys that were left inside a handbag in the car, according to police.

The would-be thief then attempted to drive away and crashed the car into a tree, police said. When the thief tried to the back out of the driveway, the car became stuck, and the thief then fled on foot. No arrest has been made.

The suspect did steal the handbag, which is valued at $15, and about $10 in quarters, police said.

There also was significant damage to the driver’s side of the car, according to police.