North Dakota

Thief steals former North Dakota governor's SUV as he hosts a radio show

The SUV was stolen out of the Fargo station’s parking lot

FILE – Then-Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer speaks during the International Symposium on Agroterrorism, April 24, 2008, in Kansas City, Mo.
AP Photo/Orlin Wagner, File

Former North Dakota Gov. Ed Schafer learned a lesson about his car keys after his vehicle was stolen as he hosted a Fargo radio show.

Schafer was guest hosting KFGO's β€œNews and Views” program Friday morning when police called the station to ask if he owned a 2020 GMC Yukon, the station reported.

It turns out that the SUV had been stolen out of the station’s parking lot. The thief apparently drove it to a probation office and surrendered to authorities, Schafer said.

The vehicle has a push-button start feature and requires a key fob to be in the vehicle before it can be operated. But Schafer had left a spare fob inside, enabling the thief to start it up and drive off.

The former governor and U.S. agriculture secretary says he's been warned about being more careful.

β€œMy wife for 31 years has said, β€˜Why don’t you lock your car?’” Schafer said.

Copyright The Associated Press
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