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Whether you are driving down the street or on the highway, car bandits are keeping a close eye on car owners who are easy targets for what law enforcement officers are calling a new trend in car thefts―waiting for an opportunity to tow away a stalled vehicle by the side of the road.
Related article: The Easiest Way to Steal a Toyota Warning
Flat Tire Nightmare
According to a recent KAKE ABCNews report, a Wichita family had a flat tire nightmare when they lost their van after it was left beside the road overnight following a late-night flat tire problem that they decided to take care of the next morning when it would be safer to change the tire.
Little did they know that car thieves constantly look for car owners who have to temporarily abandon their cars due to a flat tire or check engine light warning.
Related article: Tow Truck Scam is Legal and Costs Car Owners Thousands
Here is the news story video with all of the details. If you prefer, however, a summary of the video is provided below for your convenience as well.
Flat Tire Nightmare: Wichita Family's Van Stolen, Scrapped
Flat Tire Nightmare Summary
The events known so far are this:
- A family member has a flat tire at night, and a parent advises him to leave it until he can help with it in the morning.
- The next morning, the family returns to the scene of the flat tire and discovers their vehicle is missing, presumed stolen.
- The family's father is in charge of the Automobilia Car Show in downtown Wichita every year and contacts his network of friends to help him find the missing vehicle.
- Friends send photos of suspicious activity with the van.
- An Instagram video also shows a man advertising his business of buying and selling junk vehicles, with the family's vehicle displayed.
"We find out someone stole our vehicle, and they're advertising that they buy and sell vehicles as scrap," stated the father.
The missing van was eventually tracked down at AllMetal Recycling in north Wichita, where the father was told the scrapyard bought it from the same guy who was advertising to buy and sell junk cars on Instagram. Unfortunately, the vehicle had already been crushed for its metal.
Sgt. Trevor McDonald of the Wichita Police Department larceny section states for the news crew that there is a "…huge spike in auto thefts across the city," citing what happened to the family's missing vehicle as an example and trending problem.
"We're seeing these individuals coming around with their private tow trucks or trailers and load up what they say are junk vehicles and take them off to be destroyed," said McDonald.
A "Who-Done-It" Mystery is Under Investigation
This story is noteworthy because it serves as a warning to car owners that not only can this easily happen to them, but depending on where they live, the outcome can vary based on local laws.
In many places, there are laws requiring a salvage yard to report the sale of junked vehicles. However, often, this is not done or is done with minimal paperwork certifying the business transaction.
The difficulty of this investigation is that it became a "he-said, they-said" argument, with all parties involved trying to shift the blame to someone else. The only evidence of a paper trail to follow is a signed receipt, presumably from an auto dealership. The owner of this dealership has a son who works for him, who is identified as the Instagram poster.
The auto dealership owner's son claims a "friend" called him about an abandoned car in front of his property. The son then bought the car and towed it away to the scrap yard for resale. He did not have a title but did produce a bill of sale.
When contacted, the "friend" does not recall any transaction involving the vehicle with the auto dealership owner's son but does state that he did see the vehicle temporarily parked in front of his property.
"I just want to clear up my name," stated the car dealership owner's son. "I ain't no thief. I'm a man of character and integrity. I'm not perfect, but I did not steal," reported by the KAKE ABCNews story.
What This All Means to Car Owners
The mystery of who actually stole the family's vehicle and who else may have been legally/illegally involved remains to be seen pending the investigation. To be fair, multiple scenarios could have taken place in which none of the suspects were at fault other than not showing proper title verification of the towed and sold vehicle.
However, the takeaway message of this mess is that even if your stolen car is later found at a scrapyard "cubed or not," the laws vary state-by-state protecting car owners and scrap yard business owners.
As noted in one comment about the reported story discussing the legalities of who is responsible when it comes to stolen cars sold to scrap yards on the Steve Lehto YouTube channel, even if found, it might not be yours to recover:
Furthermore, leaving your car even for two hours is risking it being snatched by car thieves, as shown in another recent comment related to this story also on the Steve Lehto YouTube channel:
What to Do If You Have to Temporarily Abandon Your Vehicle
To prevent your car from being stolen or towed away while dealing with a flat tire, follow these seven tips:
1. Secure the Vehicle: Lock the doors, take the keys, and activate security features by engaging your car's alarm system or any additional anti-theft devices you have installed.
2. Park Safely: Park your car in a well-lit, high-traffic area to deter thieves.
3. Use Anti-Theft Devices: Add a steering wheel lock and multiple wheel locks to your roadside parked car. Consider hiding a GPS Tracker to locate your car if it is moved without your consent. Use a Dash Cam with remote monitoring as well.
4. Minimize Time Away: Call roadside assistance, a friend, or a towing service quickly―don't put it off until later.
5. Document the Situation―Take Photos: Photograph the car, including its license plate and location, before leaving in case of disputes or theft. This is especially important concerning insurance claims and lawsuits in case another car collides with yours while left behind.
6. Inform Local Authorities: If the area seems risky, inform local authorities about your car's location and situation. In some areas, someone will be sure to offer assistance.
7. Most important of all―Be Safe: Keep a tire repair kit or portable air compressor in your car to fix minor flat tire issues without leaving your car behind.
Here's How to Prepare for That Roadside Emergency
While the above tips are not guaranteed to prevent a stolen vehicle after you have left it by the roadside, they will increase the odds that a potential car thief will move on and find an easier target.
And, as tip #7 points out, the most important thing is to be safe, which depends on how prepared you are for a flat tire or if a check engine light comes on, necessitating stopping your vehicle and going no further.
That said, here is an informative and pleasant video reminder of how to make sure you are prepared for a roadside emergency:
Are You Prepared If You'd Have A Flat Tire Out On The Road? What You Need To Do It Quickly & Safely
For additional garage stolen vehicle and tow company-related warning articles, here are three informative ones for your consideration:
- It's This Easy to Pick the Lock on a Ford Explorer
- Tow Company Warning and How to Protect Yourself When Towed
- Illegal Towing by Your City Police Warning
Timothy Boyer is an automotive reporter based in Cincinnati who currently researches and works on restoring older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. He also reports on modern cars (including EVs) with a focus on DIY mechanics, buying and using tools, and other related topical automotive repair news. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites as well as on Facebook and his automotive blog "Zen and the Art of DIY Car Repair" for useful daily news and topics related to new and used cars and trucks.
Image Source: Deposit Photos
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