Boise man accused of stealing car left idling in a Garden City driveway

Christian McMahon, 18, is accused of abandoning the stolen car and attempting to take another, then running from Garden City police early Wednesday morning.

A car owner called police about 5:30 a.m. after the owner left the vehicle to warm up for about 10 minutes near East 44th and Adams streets and went back out to find the vehicle missing from the driveway.

Citizens spotted the vehicle being driven recklessly near East 48th and Adams, and police found the vehicle unoccupied. They then searched for the suspect and found a man "in another unlocked vehicle that he was attempting to steal in the same manner," police said in a news release.

The man ran from officers, who caught him a short distance later, police said. The suspect, identified as McMahon, was apprehended without injuries, police said.

Police called the incident “a great example of citizens and the police working together in order to stop a crime spree. ... It is also a good reminder for all citizens to secure their vehicle and belongings when warming their vehicles, especially with winter months fast approaching.”

McMahon was booked into the Ada County Jail on felony charges of grand theft and attempted grand theft, plus misdemeanor resisting and obstructing officers.

This story was originally published September 7, 2016 at 8:33 PM with the headline "Boise man accused of stealing car left idling in a Garden City driveway."