A thief posing as a car buyer "brazenly" stole a Holden HSV when its owner went inside to fetch logbooks during an inspection yesterday.
Police said the car had been listed for sale on an online forum, and the alleged offender had called the owner last week, telling him he was interested in looking at the car.
They say a man showed up at the victim's home in Banks unexpectedly, after missing the appointed time.
The victim had agreed to show him the car and had left it in the driveway with the engine idling, while going inside to fetch logbooks.
Police say the alleged offender then got into the car and drove away.
The car, which is still missing, is a red 2004-model HSV Club Sport with ACT registration.
Police described the man as Caucasian, slim build, 24-25 years old, with short black hair, unshaven, and wearing shorts, work boots, and a T-shirt.
ACT Policing's crime prevention team Sergeant Chris Meagher warned other motorists to be careful, and not to offer criminals a "crime of opportunity".
"In this case, the owner's only mistake was a simple one: being too trusting of someone whom he thought was a genuine potential buyer. People offering anything for sale privately, particularly from their own home, should be wary and to take the appropriate steps to ensure thieves are not offered opportunities," he said.
.gif)
