Bangor police say they were able to solve the mystery of a car taken from a parking lot. Only the car wasn’t stolen – it was taken by accident.

The incident occurred a few days ago, according to a Facebook post on Wednesday.

A gray 2015 Toyota was parked near a gray 2015 Lexus in the dimly lit lot, and both vehicles had a fair share of winter grime on them. 

One of the drivers apparently left their doors unlocked and the key fob in their vehicle when they exited.
Later, a different person loaded their groceries into that car and drove off, mistakenly leaving their own vehicle behind. 

Police were called and investigated, forming a theory on how this could have happened, which they shared: 

“Sometimes we get distracted, and when you press a key fob to unlock a car door, and then try that door, and it's open, you may believe you unlocked that door to 'your' car. When you get in and push the button that starts 'your' car, and the car starts because the fob is in such close proximity, you may just drive to your next destination, with your groceries in the back.

“What you may not know is that you may have mistakenly gotten into a car that was left unlocked, with the correct key fob still in the console, by the driver, who was going to be right back. Right back to an empty parking space.”

Bangor Police Officer Michael Blakely was able to reunite the right owners with the right cars, the groceries were transferred to the correct vehicle, and all parties involved were allowed to go on their respective ways. No one was charged.

Bangor police are asking vehicle owners to pay attention to their surroundings and lock their car doors – remembering to take the keys, too.

One other thing that they advise: “Wash your car in the winter, too.”