From Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE — One man’s day went badly wrong when he left his car running while making a quick stop at a business, according to Trussville Police Lt. Clint Riner. A Birmingham woman made off with the vehicle but quick police work, and a little help from technology, saved the day.
On January 28, 2024, Trussville officers were dispatched to 1930 Edwards Lake Road, Smokers Genie on a report of a stolen vehicle.
“The victim said he left his vehicle running while he went into the store,” Riner said. “The victim discovered his vehicle was gone after several minutes inside the business.”
When the victim arrived at the store, he was on FaceTime with his girlfriend. He left the phone in the cupholder when he went in the store. As a result, his girlfriend was able to see the suspect driving the car and sent screenshots of the suspect to her boyfriend who gave them to the officers.
Family members of the victim then arrived and were able to track the location of the vehicle through a phone app.
“Birmingham Police were given a bolo (be on look out) for the vehicle and were able to locate and recover the vehicle that was occupied by a white female,” Riner said. “The occupant of the vehicle was detained and then transported to the Trussville City Jail.”
Evidence obtained through the investigation was presented to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office. The Jefferson County Districts Attorney’s Office issued a warrant for theft of property 1st degree on the occupant Sarah Henderson, 43, of Birmingham.
Henderson of was transferred to the Jefferson County Jail on January 29, 2024, where she is being held on a $30,000 bond.