Woman was given a ticket by police after her car was stolen

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WHBQ) – A woman in Tennessee said police gave her a ticket after her stolen car was found with the engine running.

Michelle Toney said she watched as a man jumped out of a car and into hers before driving away.

“I just, like, I was frozen, shook, scared,” she said.

Police said the theft took place just after 8 p.m. Sunday evening and that the white Honda Accord he was that pulled up behind Toney’s car was stolen earlier in the evening.

“I got scared because I don’t know, I don’t know if he has a weapon, but I was like, ‘Please, please, like please just leave my car alone,’” she said.

Police said the driver of a second white car stopped to ask Toney if she was OK and if she left something in the car.

Minutes later, police said Toney’s car was recovered with a flat tire and slight damage.

“I literally found out maybe it wasn’t long, maybe like within the next 30 minutes, that my car was down, basically right down the street and abandoned in a parking lot,” Toney said.

She said she will have her car back soon.

However, Memphis Police issued her a citation for an unattended motor vehicle.

Tennessee code states, in part, “No person driving or in charge of a motor vehicle shall permit it to stand unattended without first stopping the engine, locking the ignition, removing the key, and effectively setting the brake.”

Toney said she has learned her lesson.

“It was a humbling experience because you always think it’ll never happen to you,” she said.

It’s not clear whether any arrests have been made.

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