Hey Thief, SF Cops Want Their Car Back

An unmarked police car was stolen in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park on Wednesday as the officers responded to a call for backup.

The car, which had not been recovered as of Thursday, was taken at about 4 p.m. Wednesday after the officers got out to assist with a suspect who was resisting arrest near Hippie Hill, Lt. Troy Dangerfield said.

The officers left the keys inside and a man jumped in and drove off.

Dangerfield said the officers acted appropriately despite losing the car. Requests for backup are more urgent than some other calls, he said.

"We do try to always secure the vehicles, but depending upon the urgency, that's not the No. 1 concern," he said. "The No. 1 concern is officer safety."

The car is a 2000 greenish Ford Crown Victoria with license plate number 4GQE235, Dangerfield said.

Anybody who sees it is asked to call police.