KANSAS CITY, Mo. – It looks like a prank, but unlike a prank, these people duck down and quickly take off with someone’s purse or wallet while they’re pumping gas. They’re called “sliders.”
“For criminals, it works out well for them to get what they need as far as your stuff,” said Gary Mason from the Overland Park Police Department.
Police are calling this a crime of opportunity. If people don’t take precautions to prevent criminals from getting their stuff, the crooks are off in seconds without victims even knowing what happened.
To avoid becoming a victim, police say to grab your belongings before you start pumping your gas or be sure to lock your car door.
Sylvia Kelly’s heard of the crime, and she says she’s going to change her habits.
“I guess I’ll start locking my car doors because right now I don’t have it locked while I’m pumping my gas,” Kelly said.
Overland Park police said while they haven’t received reports of slider crimes yet, they expect to in the future.
“Probably sometime soon we’ll see something that’s similar to that,” Mason said.
But if you heed advice from police and take precautions against thieves, chances are you won’t be the one making that report.
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