A woman was arrested Tuesday after stealing a vehicle left running outside a gas station.
According to police, at about 2:45 p.m., Frederick County Sheriff’s Office deputies received a call for a stolen vehicle at a Valero gas station. Police say a vehicle owner had left his 2012 GMC Sierra running and went inside the store. When he came out, he saw his vehicle heading into town.
One of the assigned Emmitsburg Community Deputies, along with another deputy who responded, quickly found the stolen vehicle as the driver, Gabbriella Christina Smoot, 23, drove through the town.
Police say they witnessed her drive recklessly through town, passing a school bus, striking a fence, and driving through a yard.
Deputies executed a successful stop of the stolen vehicle near East Main Street in Emmitsburg.
Smoot complied with all commands, and deputies placed her under arrest without incident.
Her charges include:
- Motor vehicle unlawful taking
- Theft: $1,000 - $25,000
- Unauthorized removal of a motor vehicle
- Reckless endangerment
The FCSO wants to remind all vehicle owners to not leave vehicles running unattended, even if the operator believes it is for mere minutes.