NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- As the temperature dips below freezing, warming up one's car can be tempting.

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South Nashville resident Atria, who asked Channel 4 to not use her last name for safety reasons, said she does it.

"My routine is I go down to my vehicle, start it up, sit in my car," she said.

Last weekend, as she ran into her apartment to grab an envelope she'd forgotten, someone jumped into her running car and took off.

"Oh my God, I freaked out. I screamed at the top of my lungs," said Atria.

"I know it's more convenient to start the car and let it run, but please don't do that," said said Metro Sgt. Suzanne Stephens. "Please make sure you are out there in your vehicle while it's running."

Stephens said while car thefts are down in South Precinct, the numbers district-wide show more often than not stolen cars were taken with the keys inside. Warming up one's unattended car is also illegal.

Police can issue a ticket to someone for leaving a car running with the keys inside. Officers said with court costs included, it will set the offender back about $100.

Atria's friend found her car at a different apartment complex only a few minutes away. Police have fingerprinted the car to try to find the thief.

Still worried because the thief stole papers that included her name, address and personal information, Atria said she's learned a valuable lesson.

"Don’t chance it," said Atria.

Drivers who are cited for leaving their car running unattended will have to pay $50 plus an additional $42 in court costs.