GREENSBORO, N.C. — Tanequia Branch said she brought her car into Rincon's Auto Service on Dec. 29.
The shop said parts had to be ordered, requiring Branch's vehicle to stay overnight. Later, she got a call from the auto shop. She thought it would be to pick up her car early. Instead, it was to tell her it was stolen.
The auto shop said it left her keys in the car, and that's how the person was able to drive off with it.
"My heart dropped. That's a violation. You took something from me. I never thought I'd be a victim of a car theft," car owner Tanequia Branch said.
The shop's surveillance video shows someone allegedly stealing the car early on New Year's Eve. You can see a man peering through car windows, walking through the shop yard, and scoping out cars.
The alleged thief is shown pushing another car out of the way, then driving off the lot with Branch's car.
The car shop said leaving the keys inside the car was an honest mistake.
"We had it blocked, but then we left the keys in the floorboard." Co-owner Jose Rincon said, "that guy was checking all the cars and he was trying to steal or whatever. He saw the keys in it and cranked the car."
Rincon said two other cars were damaged in the crime and his auto shop is cooperating with the police.
Branch has comprehensive coverage with her insurance, but she has to wait two weeks to see if her car is recovered before insurance moves forward with her claim.
The question remains — who is responsible?
WFMY News 2 reached out to an insurance expert who is not tied to this case. He weighed in with his take.
"The person that was in control of the vehicle. We call that care, custody, and control," Christopher Cook said, "In this instance, it was the auto repair facility who was responsible for it at that time."
Rincon Auto said if they are held responsible, they will take care of costs tied to the theft.
State Farm insures Branch. In a statement, the insurance company said it typically covers car thefts if the customer has comprehensive coverage.
GPD said the investigation is ongoing.