Unexpected Guests: When a Stranger Parks on Your Driveway

Coming back from a relaxing weekend getaway should be a time to unwind, but for one homeowner in Cambridge, it turned into a chaotic situation. Imagine arriving home to discover an unknown vehicle parked in your driveway, plugged into your electric car charger. What do you do in a situation like this? Let’s explore the steps taken and the lessons learned from this unusual event.

The Surprising Discovery

Upon returning home, the homeowner found that a car was plugged into their electric vehicle charger, with the gates to their property mysteriously left open. A glance at the charger revealed that the vehicle had only minimal power left, prompting questions about how long it had been there. Without hesitating, they switched off the charger to prevent further use and secured the gates.

Should You Involve the Authorities?

With the situation escalating, the homeowner contemplated whether to report the incident to the police. After all, unauthorized use of a personal property can certainly feel like a form of theft. However, they were also aware that if the car’s owner wanted to leave, they would need the gates unlocked, which added another layer of complication to the matter.

An Interesting Turn of Events

An update the following day revealed that the drama continued to unfold. Initial checks from cameras showed that the owner of the vehicle had returned late at night but chose to leave without approaching the homeowner. A concerned neighbor, noticing suspicious activity, heard someone using a cutting tool on the gates and promptly contacted the police.

Upon arrival, the homeowner found local law enforcement, their neighbor, and the car owner discussing the situation. The individual, in his 50s and citing a stay at a nearby hotel, claimed he had been directed to use the driveway charger. This revelation hinted at a prior arrangement with the hotel, potentially elaborating on the legitimacy of the car’s unauthorized use of the charger.

A Tangle of Damage and Consequence

Despite the initial calmness facilitated by the police, it soon became apparent that the situation had escalated to criminal damage. The residential charger had been broken in an attempt to retrieve the charging cable, and the gates suffered significant damage as well. The gathered evidence, including video footage, clearly indicated that the mishap was not merely accidental.

Ultimately, the owner of the car was arrested for their actions, and the police arranged for the vehicle to be towed, as it was out of charge and unable to be driven away.