Over the course of two days, two vehicles left running and unattended on cold mornings were taken for a ride by two theft suspects. Both cases were quickly solved by Athens police.

The first case occurred at about 5:30 a.m. Tuesday. Athens Police Capt. Trevor Harris said a man on Chestnut Street went outside to start his Honda Accord to warm it up. When he returned a few minutes later, he found the car was gone.

Police were called to the scene and other agencies were notified about the theft.

About an hour later, Decatur police spotted the vehicle near the intersection of Locust and 19th streets in Decatur. The car was being driven by 30-year-old Dustin Berzett of Piney Chapel Road.

Harris said Detective Kelly Fussell drove to Decatur and brought Berzett back to Athens for questioning. Following the interview, Berzett was charged with first-degree theft. After being booked by Athens police, he was taken to the Limestone County Jail. Bond was set at $5,000.

Shortly after 6 a.m. Wednesday, the same thing happened on Levert Avenue. Chief Floyd Johnson said a man left his Ford F-150 pickup truck running to warm it up. When he looked outside, the truck was gone.

Officer Neal Muse saw the vehicle traveling west on U.S. 72. Muse and Officer Jason Threet stopped the vehicle on U.S. 72 at Glenn Valley Drive East.

The driver then pulled away from officers at a high rate of speed, traveling north on Glenn Valley Drive. Johnson said the officers followed at a safe speed.

“The driver of the truck lost control and hit a curb and a speed limit sign on Glenn Valley,” Johnson said. “The driver jumped out and ran from the officers. He also left the truck in gear causing the officers to have to stop the truck before it hit a residence before pursuing him.”

The chief said a resident called a few minutes later to report a male was behind their residence. Officers located the suspect and took him into custody without incident.

The suspect is a 17-year-old juvenile from Huntsville. He was charged with first-degree theft of property.

After being booked at the police station, he was turned over to Limestone County juvenile probation.