While it’s sure nice to get into a warm vehicle in the morning, warming up your vehicle can also make them an easy target for thieves.

On Monday at around 9:49 a.m., Lincoln County deputies responded to the report of a stolen vehicle from a residence on North U.S. Highway 83, north of North Platte.

The Sheriff’s Office says the residents had started their 1999 GMC van, which was parked in front of their house, so it could warm up.

A short time later, the residents observed a male subject enter their yard, get into the vehicle and take off, striking another vehicle and a barbed wire fence before heading northbound on Highway 83.

Multiple deputies from the LCSO responded to the area, and area law enforcement was notified.

As Logan County Sheriff Sean Carson was on patrol, looking for the stolen vehicle, he observed the vehicle crossing the Lincoln/Logan County line and initiated a traffic stop.

Carson made contact with the driver, identified as 31-year-old Alec Burnette, of Mission, South Dakota, and took him into custody without incident.

Lincoln County deputies arrived a short time later and transported Burnette to the Lincoln County Detention Center.

He was jailed on charges of felony theft and criminal mischief.

The van, which had minimal damage, was returned to its owner.