Police: Homeless Man Steals Car for Warmth, Blasts A/C

HINGHAM, Mass. (AP) _ Police in Massachusetts say a homeless man stole an idling car to warm up but couldn't figure out how to turn on the heat.

Hingham police tell The Patriot Ledger 59-year-old John Hastings was hospitalized after his arrest for prolonged exposure to the cold. He was then jailed on charges including larceny of motor vehicle.

Investigators say the car was taken early Sunday from the parking lot of a restaurant. An employee who was about to leave work had left the car idling to warm it up.

Hastings was arrested after he was seen driving the vehicle into Weymouth.

Police say the car's air conditioning was running.

Hastings told police he had been staying in a tent recently and had run out of propane.