Report after report of stolen cars on one of the coldest days we’ve seen in a while. Springs police tell us crooks took off with seven cars Wednesday.

We talked to one woman who tells us her SUV was taken right in front of her house.

“I didn't expect it, even though I knew better, I didn't expect it,” said Monique Vollmer.

Vollmer did something many of us have either done or considered doing: leaving your car running so it warms up while you quickly run inside.

But instead of saving this driver time, it ended up costing her.

“I came out, I started my car because it was subzero in the car, and went back in to get some paperwork and grab a few things. Came back out and I looked, and it was gone,” said Vollmer.

She says it’s a crime that happened in flash.

“It's just that few minutes when you got your mind on something else, that's the opportunity that thieves will take just in a few minutes,” said Vollmer.

The thief also got her house key that was on her key ring, so Vollmer had to change the locks.

Now she wants all of us to learn from her mistake.

"You have to stay alert, even if it's only for five minutes, even if you think 'oh it can't happen in three minutes or one minute,' it can. It can happen,” said Vollmer.

Vollmer also wants to remind people that it's a crime of opportunity. Someone may not plan on stealing your car, but will since it's an easy target, or if they are simply looking for a warm place.

Vollmer says an officer told her Wednesday night that in just a two-hour span, four other cars that were puffing were also stolen.

A quick reminder: it’s actually illegal in Colorado to leave your car while it’s running. It may mean your car is a little colder when you get in, but at least you still have it.

Vollmer says her SUV is a pewter-colored Trailblazer with a license plate number 151 GUZ.

If you know anything about this theft, call Crime Stoppers at 634-STOP.