CLAWSON, Mich. – The story ends with a brief police chase. It began on a quiet Clawson neighborhood street with a mistake homeowners often make.
"When I came back in the afternoon I didn't lock my car, figuring I was going to use it again. I didn't go back into my car that whole weekend and I completely forgot it was unlocked," said Mike, who had his motorcycle stolen.
Mike had left his car outside, not in his garage. The next morning, 19-year-old Cory Rourke stole Mike's garage door opener from his car to get into his garage and steal the bike.
"I kind of was a little restless that night and stayed out in the living room. It was about 2 o'clock when I heard my garage door open," Mike said. "It kind of caught me off-guard."
He went outside to find someone riding away on his motorcycle. He called 911. As a Clawson police officer approached the home, the thief rode right by on the motorcycle. The chase began, although it was a short one.
"Luckily for us it was the first time the kid has ever ridden a motorcycle. Why you would steal one if it's the first time is beyond me, but he lasted about a block," said Clawson police Lt. Scott Sarvello.
The lesson learned at the end of this story is an obvious one, but worth repeating: lock your car.
"We're just asking residents to lock your doors and just be heads-up about your surroundings. That's exactly what happened on this case. It was real easy for him," said Sarvello.
-- Cory Rourke