Traffic violation for an expatriate whose vehicle was stolen after he left it running while shopping inside a grocery store

A Kuwaiti official reported that the theft of an Asian expatriate’s vehicle occurred in broad daylight, as the expatriate was pulled over by police for a traffic violation ordered by an investigator due to leaving the car running. An unknown individual took advantage of the owner’s brief absence inside a grocery store and stole the vehicle.

The expatriate had filed a report at a police station in the Ahmadi Governorate, stating that he had parked his car in front of a grocery store and stepped out to shop. His stay inside the store lasted no more than a minute, but he was shocked upon exiting to find his vehicle missing.

He added that the car contained a mobile phone and several official documents, including a market license and the vehicle’s registration booklet, noting that he had left the engine running while entering the store.

Security authorities have taken the necessary legal measures, and descriptions of the vehicle have been circulated among patrol units in preparation for its recovery and to uncover the circumstances surrounding the theft.

A security source warned against the danger of leaving vehicles running, even for short periods, emphasizing that just a few seconds may be enough for a theft to occur. He urged drivers to turn off the engine, lock the doors, and not leave keys inside the vehicle when exiting.