Pinched plastic bottles on cars: that's why you should call the police

If you notice jammed plastic bottles on cars, you should alert the police. Because behind it is most likely the attempt to steal the car. In this practical tip, we will tell you exactly how the trick works and how you can protect yourself from the mesh.

Insidious trick: thieves use jammed plastic bottles on cars

The trick is simple, but effective. See that a plastic bottle is stuck between your tire and the wheel arch should you be careful or call the police directly. The reason:

• The car thief sticks a plastic bottle between the wheel arch and the tires on the passenger side. He'll stay close and watch the vehicle.
• When you get into your car, the chances are high that you won't notice the jammed bottle on the passenger side.
• As soon as you want to start driving, the plastic bottle makes loud noises and alerts you.
• Get out to see the problem. Most likely you will not turn off the engine for this.
• This is when the thief strikes: you go to the passenger side and the thief sneaks up to get on the driver's side and drive away.
• The method is simple and can go wrong if you switch off the engine and take the ignition key with you. But it has worked often enough. Thieves do not have to break into the car or even short it out, which greatly facilitates the theft.

How is the trick known?

To date, no cases have been reported in Germany in which car thieves have attempted to steal a vehicle in this way. But such easy-to-implement approaches are quickly becoming popular internationally.

• Thefts were first reported in South Africa using the plastic bottle trick.
• Some counterfeiters have also been found in the United States and Mexico.
• So be careful in Germany too. As a precaution, pull the key if you hear strange noises or have to get out for another reason.

In our next practical tip, you will read how the car key in the fridge can protect against car theft.