With the weather cooling, county police are reminding drivers that walking away from their vehicle while it's running not only increases the likelihood of auto theft but is illegal.

According to a Nov. 7 police statement, auto theft detectives find that about 50 percent of area vehicle thefts occurred after someone left their keys in the ignition.

The statement acknowledged the temptation in cold weather to start the car in the morning and go back inside for a cup of coffee while the car warms up.

"But before you've even poured your second cup of coffee, someone can break in and steal your vehicle," the statement said.

"Car thieves wait and watch for people to walk away and then strike," it said.

The same goes for quick stops at convenience stores and ATMs.

If a vehicle is stolen because the keys being were left in the ignition, insurance companies may not pay for the stolen car and the owner sometimes must still make car payments, the statement said.

Additionally, leaving a vehicle running with the keys inside is a traffic violation for which the driver can be fined $70 and issued one point against their license.

If the vehicle slips out of gear while left running, the driver can be fined $110 and issued three points.

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