Police arrest car thief using footprints in snow

The Man is accused of stealing an unattended running vehicle in Hackensack, N.J [Picture Courtesy ]

New Jersey police say they followed footprints in the snow to find a homeless man accused of stealing an unattended car.

The victim told police he left his car engine running with the keys in the ignition when a man jumped in the vehicle and drove off.

Police told Eyewitness News that the victim got into a company car and pursued the suspect until he crashed and fled on foot.

The car thief was arrested after police officers surrounded the area and tracked him down by following his footprints in the snow.

He was found hiding near a trash can, lying on his back, staring up at the sky.

Police identified the 23-year-old suspect as Malik Evans.

He was charged with the theft of a car and resisting arrest.