Many cities now declare it illegal to leave your car running when you pop into the store for a quick grocery run. Makes sense.
The beauty in the article is that she took actions instead of just leaving it up to the police to not get her car back. No impoint lot, no sitting & hoping. Nope, she got all creative with it.
If I went on a cross-country trip, I would pay the extra $ in gas money for something with room, ie not my MINI.