Page 13 - IAV Digital Magazine #534

Thieves Are Sneaking Into Cars at St. Louis Gas Stations & Driving Away
iAV - Antelope Valley Digital Magazine
By: Joe
Millitzer, Stephani e Rothman
ST. LOUIS – Police are warn- ing drivers about a new tactic used by St. Louis car thieves.
They are pulling up to people’s vehicles while they are distract- ed filling their tires up with air or refueling with gasoline. A sus- pect then sneaks into the victim’s unlocked vehicle and drives away.
So far in 2021, there have been 17 stolen vehicles and 11 instances of stolen items at gas stations in the city’s second police district. In many cases, the victim’s key fob is left in the car. This makes it easy for a sus- pect to get in and
drive away.
The second police district of St. Louis stretch- es west of Grand Avenue and south of Lindell to the border with St. Louis County. It is not clear how many more of these crimes have occurred outside of the dis- trict’s limits.
Video of one sus-
pect stealing a car at the Amoco gas station at 981 Skinker is disturb- ing. St. Louis Police included it with their mes- sage about the warning.
Anyone with a tip, evidence, or more information should call detec- tives at 314-444- 0100.
“You always have
to keep eyes on the back of your head and as my dad always said, keep your eyes on a swivel,” St. Louis resident Steve Laury said.
Police are hoping by posting flyers at gas pumps, drivers will become aware of where the crimes are happening so they don’t become the next
victim.
“To think that it’s even unsafe dur- ing the daytime is really scary, espe- cially at a gas sta- tion so close to my university. You would think it’s a safer area yet it can happen
here,” Washington University student Kristina Bush.
Common threads are unlocked
doors and dis- tracted drivers.
“I don’t usually lock my door when I’m pump- ing gas because I’m there,” St. Louis resident Ted Beaty said. “If I were to go inside and get a candy bar or a soda, I would.”
That mindset is why police are asking people to stay vigilant, lock their doors, take their keys, and hide their belong- ings.
“I just kind of fig- ured that they may notice that your car is unlocked as you walk away, and go into the con- venience stores is one thing, but while you’re at your car, yeah that’s a little bit scary,” Jacob Andereck said.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC1N1u4kuu4
iAV - Antelope Valley Digital Magazine