An empty plastic bottle placed against a car tire may look like litter — but in some cases, it is a deliberate distraction used by thieves. Reports from South Africa and parts of the United States describe how this simple ploy can lead drivers to step out of a running vehicle, leaving it vulnerable. Understanding the method is the first step toward staying safe.
En bref
- —A bottle near your tire may be a theft setup, not random litter
- —The loud pop startles drivers into exiting their running car
- —A quick perimeter check before driving can prevent the trick
A low-tech trick: how the plastic bottle tactic works
The method is straightforward and requires almost no equipment. According to community safety warnings shared in South Africa and parts of the United States, a thief places an empty plastic bottle against a car’s tire — most often the front passenger side, where it sits out of the driver’s natural line of sight.
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