Thief dumps vehicle after realizing he can’t drive stick shift, police say

A would-be car thief in Concord, Calif., had to abandon a stolen vehicle Sunday after he was confounded by the stick shift, police say.

Authorities say the man was inside the vehicle a little after midnight Sunday. The car’s owner didn’t realize it and got into the car.

The man allegedly brandished a handgun and ordered the car owner to drive to a nearby location.

After stealing the car owner’s money, the man forced the owner out of the vehicle, police said.

Then there was a hitch.

Police said the culprit couldn’t quite figure out how to work the vehicle’s manual transmission, or stick shift. As a result, he abandoned the vehicle.

The man fled on foot.

For breaking news in California, follow @VeronicaRochaLA