If you find a plastic water bottle wedged between your tire and wheel well (usually the rear tire), do NOT get out of your car immediately. This is a known criminal tactic used to lure drivers out of their vehicles.
How the Scam Works:
- The Setup: Thieves wedge an empty plastic bottle between your tire and the wheel well while your car is parked
- The Noise: When you start driving, the bottle creates a loud crinkling/clicking sound against the rotating tire
- The Trap: The noise is designed to make you think something is wrong with your car, prompting you to pull over and investigate
- The Theft: When you get out to check the noise, criminals either:
- Steal your purse/wallet/phone from your car
- Rob you directly
- Carjack you
What to Do If You Find a Bottle:
✅ DO:
- Stay in your car with doors locked
- Drive to a safe, public location (gas station, police station, busy parking lot)
- Call the police to report it
- Check your surroundings carefully before exiting
- Remove the bottle only when you're in a safe location
DON'T:
- Don't stop in an isolated area
- Don't get out immediately in a deserted parking lot
- Don't ignore your instincts if something feels wrong
Other Red Flags to Watch For:
