
Hunterdon County man accidentally steals car he mistook for his own
HACKETTSTOWN, NJ (Warren County) – A Hunterdon County man accidentally stole a car that he thought was his own, police said.
Officers responded Tuesday at around 2:12 p.m. to the area of 199 Main St for a report of a stolen 2015 Gray Nissan Maurano, police said.
The 72-year-old women from Long Valley reported that she had the key fob but was unsure if the vehicle was locked. The vehicle also had a handicapped placard hanging from the rearview mirror, police said.
At around 11:00 p.m., an officer was checking the area of Main St when the officer observed a 2015 Gray Nissan Rogue parked in the parking lot of a closed business. That vehicle was in close proximity to where the Maurano was reported stolen, police said.
The officer checked the plate and the vehicle came back to a 78-year-old man from Califon, NJ, police said.
Washington Township police were contacted to check the man’s residence for the stolen Maurano and it was located at the residence, police said.
Through an investigation it was determined that the man accidentally took the vehicle due to the car looking similar and even had a handicapped placard hanging from the rearview mirror, police said.
No charges will be filed, police said.