Stolen!

The proud owner of a magnificent 1956 Chevrolet Bel-Aire  restored the car to perfection over the years.

On a warm summer afternoon he decided to drive his Chevy to town, gas up since the gauge was on empty, and get some ice cream.  He headed first to his favorite ice cream shop,

Had trouble finding a parking space, and parked down a side street.  He saw the group of young guys standing around smoking... and EYEing his Chevy!   It felt a bit uneasy leaving it there, but people often take interest in old, well-preserved cars, so he went off to enjoy his ice cream.

The line at the ice cream shop was long and it took a while to return to his car.  When he did, his worst fears were realized… the Chevy was gone!

He called the police, reported the theft, and went back to the ice cream shop for a quart of pistachio to calm his nerves.   About ten minutes later the police called back: they found the Chevy ! It was abandoned near a gas station a few miles out of town!

Unharmed! What Relief !

Just before the owner called the police, a young woman employee at a self-service station made a report to the police that three young men had driven in with a beautiful old car.  One of the young men prepaid $20 for gas.  Then all three got out and walked around the car for a couple of minutes. Then all three got in, and drove off without pumping any gas! 

Why? Why would somebody steal a car, pay for gas, but then drive off without pumping gas, abandon the car minutes later, and walk away?

The 3 youngsters couldn't find the gas cap !