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Former North Dakota Governor Ed Schafer found himself a victim of auto theft when his 2020 GMC Yukon was stolen from the parking lot of KFGO, where he was guest hosting the “News and Views” radio program.
The incident took place on August 25 in Fargo, leaving the former governor dismayed.
According to his account, Schafer received an unexpected call from the police during the radio show inquiring if he owned a 2020 GMC Yukon.
After confirming that the vehicle in question was his, police informed him that it had been stolen from the station’s parking lot while he was on the air.
The brazen thief, identified as 30-year-old Jacob Ryan Sobolik, drove the SUV to the North Dakota Parole and Probation Office, where he surrendered to authorities.
According to Schafer, his vehicle would have posed a challenge for the thief, as it featured a push-button start system that required the key fob to be inside the vehicle for operation.
However, Schafer’s admitted that he had left a spare key fob inside the vehicle, giving the thief a golden opportunity to start the vehicle.
Schafer admitted that he had been repeatedly cautioned about the importance of car security, especially by his wife.
“My wife for 31 years has said, ‘Why don’t you lock your car?’” he said.
Sobolik has since been charged with a count of felony theft after confessing to the police that he had stolen Schafer’s vehicle.
According to court documents, Sobolik admitted to the theft and turned himself in. The stolen Yukon, bearing the distinctive license plate ‘X1,’ was found at the ND Parole and Probation building in Fargo.
Sobolik said he simply entered the parking lot, started the vehicle and drove off. After cruising around for an hour, he eventually decided to surrender to authorities.
Schafer held the governor’s office from 1992 to 2000.
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