In October 2016, the Broward Sheriff's Office in Fort Lauderdale, FL, shared gas-station security footage in an effort to spread awareness about a common crime.
There's a current trend in quick-moving thieves who target women's purses at gas station pumps. However, the crime happens so fast that authorities say "if you blink, you could miss it."
In the surveillance footage below, a female driver pulls up to a gas pump on a sunny afternoon. Notice that she leaves her car doors open as she proceeds to purchase gas.
Meanwhile, two men pull up across from the woman in a silver Toyota Camry with tinted windows. Once the woman is facing away from her car, the thieves crouch down between the two vehicles, open her driver-side door and quickly grab her handbag from the front seat.
They're gone in a matter of seconds.
One Facebook commenter shares a solution that may help avoid this horrible crime: "Everytime I pump gas I get out of the car with my bag and lock my car. Even if my car is locked they can break the window. So to avoid any problems I just take it with me. If my kids are in the car, I lower the window closest to me and still lock the car. Better to be safe!"
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[H/T: Broward Sheriff's Office]
