Car stolen while Provo driver collects LDS fast offerings

PROVO — A Provo man learned the hard way that keys should never be left in a car — even when stopping at homes for a moment to collect donations for charity.

Dan Lafontaine volunteered to help collect fast offering donations for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when other members of his ward were unable to visit all the houses Sunday. But after stopping at a few homes, Lafontaine made the mistake of leaving the key in the car while visiting a home.

When he stepped out of the home, the green Lexis IS 300 he was renting from a dealership was gone.

“First thought was ‘OK, these kids are pranking me, right?’” But it was no joke. He walked home and called police.

“(It was) an easy grab,” he said. “Some knucklehead wanted it.”

Provo Police Sgt. Mathew Siufanua said because of car thefts, the city passed an ordinance making it illegal to leave an unsecured car with the keys inside.

Siufanua said nearly 80 percent of stolen vehicles are recovered because most thieves only want what is inside. But with Lafontaine's rental car, there is no permanent license plate on it, making it harder for detectives to locate the vehicle.

Provo police are asking anyone with information to call 801-852-6210.

— Randall Jeppesen