Claim: Thieves follow buyers from electronics stores and steal merchandise from their cars.
TRUE
Origins: In January 2010, police in Manhattan Beach (a
Said Manhattan Beach police Detective Sgt. Brian Brown, "In many of these crimes, customers have purchased a computer, put it in their vehicle and then driven to another location, leaving their computer inside the vehicle. When they return to their vehicle, the victims find that their cars have been burglarized and their computers have been stolen. They are definitely being followed. We know that for a fact."
Authorities suspect the follow-away burglaries are the work of a larger ring that has stolen more than
While selecting victims based on their purchases and then trailing them until they leave their booty unattended might be a type of crime mostly limited to a specific group of criminals operating in the
You should pay especial attention to your surroundings when purchasing big-ticket items, keeping in mind that displays of wealth can attract attentions of the
felonious sort. Just as you would not flash large sums of cash in public, be wary about carting expensive merchandise
Also, if you must make additional stops after completing such purchases, do not leave your hard-won spoils on display in the passenger compartment of your car where anyone who so much as glances into your vehicle cannot help but notice them. Hide your new belongings by securing them from prying eyes in the trunk or
by throwing something (like a sweatshirt) over them.
Barbara "hidden assets" Mikkelson
Last updated: 10 January 2010
Sources: |
Blankstein, Andrew. "Apple Store Visitors Targeted." Los Angeles Times. 8 January 2010 (p. A3) . City News Service. "Burglars Target Apple Products Customers." 7 January 2010. San Jose Mercury News. "'Follow-Away' Thefts Reported by Customers of L.A.-Area Apple Store." 7 January 2010.