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Classic Car Stolen Outside Wine Cellar, Police Say

The owner was inside for 10 minutes, he said, but the keys were left in the car.

 

A 1965 Ford Mustang convertible was stolen this afternoon from the parking lot of the Wine Cellar when the driver went inside the store, police said. The keys were left in the car.

Shortly before noon, police were dispatched to the Branch Pike liquor store. The driver reported that he parked the powder blue classic car and went into the store. The keys were left in the vehicle. 

When he came out of the store, his vehicle was gone.

Anyone with information, call Cinnaminson Police at 856-829-6667 or, to remain anonymous, the We Tip hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME.

The car has a white rag top, according to the owner of the vehicle, who contacted Cinnaminson Patch. The owner said he was in the Wine Cellar no more than 10 minutes.

The car has historic plates, NJ QQ53435. 

Police are also investigating three burglaries to motor vehicles which occurred in the Westfield Leas neighborhood sometime overnight. All of the vehicles entered were left unlocked.

Police are urging people to make sure they lock their homes, vehicles, and to never leave keys in a vehicle when parked.

Related Topics: Cinnaminson Police, Stolen Car, and Wine Cellar

M Runquist

2:58 pm on Wednesday, July 4, 2012

As the owner of the car, I would really like to clarify a point - the keys were in the car under a towel and the carpet in the console between the 2 front seats - They were NOT in the ignition, NOR were they in plain view My husband is extremely upset that the police report doesn't specify what happened - he feels bad enough the car was stolen while he took it for an small errand. It takes about 3 minutes to pop the ignition on an older car and use a screwdriver to turn it on, and take off. I know because I have owned this car for over 30 years and have done it myself during 2 rounds of the restoration process. Now whoever took the car knows that they don't have to replace the ignition lock because they will now be able to find the keys. Thanks for all your help.

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Ric

3:41 pm on Wednesday, July 4, 2012

What a beautiful car, I hope you get it back right away and the thieves are caught. I hope the message of this theft will bring you much support, possibly even leads to lead you back to your car. And not start a whole series of messages how Cinnaminson has turned to hell in a hand basket over the past 12 years.
I wish much good luck to you.

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Kim

5:25 pm on Wednesday, July 4, 2012

I'm so sorry this happened to you. Horrible. Just goes to prove you can't have anything nice, because some jealous animal will make sure they do their best to ruin it or take it.

I sincerely hope the police find your car AND find the person(s) who took it.

Dan Reynolds

3:10 pm on Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Sadly, as a classic car owner... I know insurance won't cover this since he took the car out for a non event, and left the keys in the vehicle. Good luck with the recovery...

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FbS

6:40 pm on Wednesday, July 4, 2012

correct if he had collector insurance. If he regular insurance it will be covered but not at agreed value, most likely

Marlyn

3:19 pm on Wednesday, July 4, 2012

What the hell is going on in Cinnaminson? I left in 2000 and it wasn't like this! I hope all the residents that care are able to bring it back to what it was:). I also hope the mustang is found

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Ric

3:44 pm on Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Cinnaminson has gotten better since you left, trust me.

SB

3:23 pm on Wednesday, July 4, 2012

I hope the car is recovered soon. It is horrible that we live in a society today where people invade others space and think nothing about the actions that they do and how it will impact others and themselves.

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Chris Ricciuti

3:25 pm on Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Also as an owner of multiple classic cars, some policies let you take the vehicle out for a ride (non event). However, since the keys were left in the car, insurance will not cover this loss. Darn shame too, I'll bet that was one nice 'Stang.

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Michael Jirinec

3:32 pm on Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Can someone please explain to me why people would leave their vehicles unlocked, or leave their keys in the car ??

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Ric

3:42 pm on Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Why do you need explaining? Did you not read the first message (by M Runquist)?

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Nancy VanTwistern

3:48 pm on Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Too trusting I guess, Michael, thinking that it's safe around here. Just proves my point..can't trust hardly anyone/anything anymore.............lots of manys, huh, Ric..........will be awaiting your comment.................................................................

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jeff

1:31 pm on Thursday, July 5, 2012

agreed 100percent!!!! even if they werent left in sight do you not have pockets to put your keys??? geez!!!

Bob T

5:27 pm on Wednesday, July 4, 2012

What fools to pick out a car that stands out from the rest. They will probably get busted pretty quick driving a 1965 model around.

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christine

9:53 pm on Wednesday, July 4, 2012

i had an old car stolen once withing 10 minutes of last seeing it and the cops told me it was probably either a different color or broken down for parts by the time the police report was written. But, this was in NY.

FbS

6:44 pm on Wednesday, July 4, 2012

I'm dead sure no one was driving around with a slap hammer looking for an old car to steal. Someone got in and went thru the console to see if they can get some crack money and found the keys. As the owners of many classic cars I have no idea why the owner would not have put the keys in his pocket and went thru the trouble of stashing them in the console instead.... Hope they find your Stang..I know the car from local cruises/shows, I think

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Ric

7:07 pm on Wednesday, July 4, 2012

I had not realized you were a detective with the Cinnaminson Police Department. I recall you complaint about comments from non-experts at Patch.

Dan Reynolds

7:20 pm on Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Not too hard to take a car in town when people leave them running in front of WaWa....

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Just a fool

12:58 am on Thursday, July 5, 2012

Exactly Dan, that's why I'd believe the keys being left in the car had nothing to do with this theft. Anyone could just wait 5 minutes in front of Wawa and take a much newer ride, with the A.C. already cranking!

Veronica DeFulgentis

7:56 pm on Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Why would you even leave the keys in the car? Cinnaminson is not Mayberry .

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JS

7:39 am on Thursday, July 5, 2012

You are so right, Veronica, and, contrary to some peoples' beliefs, it never was. I hate to be one of those "back-in-the-day" people, but in this case I'm going to be: By the time I was about 8 (around 1970, by the way), I had a bike lock and knew not to leave my bike unlocked outside of 7eleven. On many occasions those who did, had theirs stolen while just inside buying a slurpee and some candy. Obviously, a stolen car is much worse than a bike, but you get my point. We locked everything. I feel terrible about what happened, and while it's horrendous and I hope the car is recovered and those involved caught and prosecuted, it unfortunately doesn't surprise me.

Just a fool

12:54 am on Thursday, July 5, 2012

Takes less than 5 seconds to pop that ignition. Take a ride through Camden, you might just find it parked on the side of the road. The plates will of course be different, but you might be surprised to find the only damage might be the ignition. Found mine that way. And yes, it was a classic convertible Mustang! Good luck.

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M Runquist

7:27 am on Thursday, July 5, 2012

We just checked cell phone voicemail - got a call from the police at 1:42 am - the Mustang has been recovered by the Camden Police on 10th and Elm Streets and is in a tow yard in "good condition" - can't wait to see what they think that is...THANK YOU everyone for your support, good wishes and SHARES!!!

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Erin Go Bragh

8:07 am on Thursday, July 5, 2012

Hopefully it is good condition and not like what the parking attendants did to the classic Ferrari in the movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off…..I can see the homboyz jumping your Mustang convertible over a crest in the road in Camden. LOL. All kidding aside, I am glad you got your vehicle back. May the luck of the Irish always be with you!

Deborah Stevens

10:16 am on Thursday, July 5, 2012

People who think think this happens just around here are in denial..Moorestown, Delran and Cinnaminson have always had a problem with stolen vehicles. My first car was stolen when I was 17 right outside of Rustlers steakhouse in Cinnaminson, where I worked. Police found parts of it on another car, due to the vin number, in Camden 3 years later. My other car was stolen in Mt. Holly, where my ex was a cop, right outside my house. It happens everywhere, nothing new, just remember to lock your car, it makes it harder for them to steal, but if they want it they will get it.

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Ric

10:37 am on Thursday, July 5, 2012

Oh Deborah, stop trying to convince those who think in the last 12 years Cinnaminson has gone to hell in a hand basket that Cinnaminson crime has changed little. Cinnaminson is still a good town, even I concede that - although I do urge for ways to improve the township's looks, shopping and politics.

Deborah Stevens

11:11 am on Thursday, July 5, 2012

Ric I am not suggesting that at all. I think you need to read the post again. I've lived here for over 25 years, and never have said anything like you have implied. In fact if you read my posts under stabbing in harbor complex, you will see how much I love this town and hope only to improve it. My friend you are too quick with the keys. I was saying that this just does not happen in Cinnaminson, it happens in all towns..and it has always happened here.

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Ric

12:34 pm on Thursday, July 5, 2012

Deborah, re-read what I said. I agree with you. Cinnaminson is no worse than the neighboring towns. I also feel crime has not gotten worse in Cinnaminson during the last 12 years.

Bruce

11:11 am on Thursday, July 5, 2012

It's really quite simple...all the owner has to do is install a hidden "kill switch"....or a passive alarm system for a couple hundred bucks, and then you can leave your keys in the car and it still won't start....a small price to pay (when you consider the cost of the restoration of the rest of the car).

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Bruce

11:13 am on Thursday, July 5, 2012

and the crime rate ain't going down anytime soon...not in this economic climate...

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Bruce

11:18 am on Thursday, July 5, 2012

of course these drug dealing scum bags from Camden don't care about any laws....the worst that will happen to them is another free stay in the Gray Bar Hotel...where they can hang out with all their home boys and learn new ways to rip off the public...I had a friend that lost his 67 GTO that was stolen at the Pennsaukin Mart...back in 1970...he too got it back after being found in Camden...minus seats stereo, wheels and tires and Transmission!

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Deborah Stevens

12:58 pm on Thursday, July 5, 2012

Ric for some reason I cannot hit reply on your name so I am responding here. My apologies. I get it now, took a little while but it sank in...I guess, to much of the holiday fun has clouded my brain..LOL

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KCinCA

1:07 pm on Thursday, July 5, 2012

Hope they get the car back ASAP. Although it is easy to blame the owner for not being more careful, let's not forget that no one has the right to take ANYTHING that does not belong to them. I will never understand the mindset of the a-holes who think it's acceptable to take things that belong to others. If they get caught, I hope they lose EVERYTHING they own as a result.

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Kim

2:29 pm on Thursday, July 5, 2012

I totally agree with you, KC. While the owner could have taken a few more precautions, NONE of this is his fault.

The theives? They won't lose anything. They value nothing, so they own nothing. And the "rules" are nothing more than a huge joke to them. I guarantee they've moved on to the next target by now.

Terry K. veitenheimer

3:48 pm on Thursday, July 5, 2012

Hey. Sorry to hear about your car. My car was stolen about a month ago from the Wawa parking lot. I'm an employee there. Though in my circumstance the keys went missing about a month before. My car was found in Camden the next day. Completely wiped of any personal belongings on the inside and a nice dent on the passenger side. Given, it was a 2002 Monte Carlo.. not vintage... so someone is bound to spot it.... I'll keep an eye out and tell all my friends also. Good luck.

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