As I pulled into a parking space earlier today, I saw a man leave the store, approach a (his?) car, reach on top of a rear tire and retrieve the keys. He got into the car and drove away.

Maybe he was a thief and saw the owner put the keys there.  OR, perhaps someone left the car there for him and that's where they hid the keys.  OR perhaps the driver was the owner as well as a simpleton.

The way he approached the car gave me every impression that he was the rightful owner, but you do have a good point; it's possible that he was a thief taking full advantage of an opportune moment.
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Hello Randy:

OMG!  I HOPE you called the cops.

excon

He drove away anyway.  What are we gonna do follow him and steal the thing?   It is better to risk that then having to bust the window because you lost your key somewhere.  If that is where he always puts it, then he is an idiot waiting for a car theft to happen.   It is a great idea for an emergency when you cannot find your keys.  But to just PUT them there all the time is idiotic.

I never even lock my car.  No one takes it.   No one wants the thing.   

Let them steal it. Kill them later.

Never

Theoretically yes, someone could follow him to his next destination, wait for him to plant the key again, and steal his car. However, I was referring to a car thief having seen him plant the key the first time, not necessarily following him and seeking a second opportunity.
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I clearly saw him walk directly to the car and take the key from on top of the tire, but you've brought up an extremely valid point about the stashed spare. Thanks!

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Ok.
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