New car theft methods: how the plastic bottle wheel trick works

Auto criminals are becoming increasingly inventive, developing clever methods to steal belongings from vehicles or even the entire car. One of the techniques that has gained popularity in recent years involves using a simple plastic bottle placed strategically at the wheel of the vehicle. This seemingly harmless method is in fact a well-orchestrated trap, designed to catch unprepared drivers.

Statistics show a slight decrease in car thefts in Romania—from 1,993 offenses in 2019 to 1,448 in 2021—roughly four vehicles stolen daily. Nevertheless, methods are becoming more sophisticated, and drivers must remain vigilant.

How the plastic bottle scheme works

This theft technique is remarkably simple to execute, yet highly effective in results. The criminals place an empty plastic bottle—water, beer, or other drinks—into the gap between the front wheel and the car body of the targeted vehicle.

The process unfolds as follows:

1. Bottle placement - While parked, the thieves discreetly insert the bottle between the wheel and the body
2. Sound creation - When the owner starts the car, the bottle produces a loud and unusual noise
3. Predictable reaction - The driver will stop and come down to check what happened
4. The attack - At this moment, vulnerable, the criminals act quickly to remove belongings from the vehicle

This method relies on the natural reaction of any responsible driver to immediately check any suspicious noise at the wheels, knowing that suspension or tire problems can be dangerous.

Precautions and recommendations

Specialists in auto security recommend the following preventive measures:

• Visual inspection of the vehicle before starting, including the wheel area
• Staying calm if a suspicious noise is heard - do not get out immediately
• Observing the surroundings for suspicious persons before investigating the issue
• Notifying authorities if you suspect an attempted theft

If you find yourself in such a situation, the safest option is to drive to a safe area, preferably a police station or a busy parking lot, before inspecting the vehicle.

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Most-targeted car brands in Romania

Based on data provided by IGPR, the ranking of the most stolen car brands in 2020 shows the following order:

1. Dacia - most targeted brand, due to the large number of vehicles in circulation
2. Mercedes-Benz - attractive for resale value
3. BMW - sought after for the spare parts market
4. Volkswagen - popular and with easily traded parts
5. Audi - premium vehicles with demand on the black market

Paradoxically, the fact that Dacia occupies the first place is not necessarily due to the value of the vehicles, but to the large number of units on the road and the accessibility of security systems. As experts explain: “car thieves are more tempted by cars that are easier to access, and because Dacias are found on all roads, they are the most frequent targets of theft attempts”.

Evolution of auto crime in Romania

Official statistics show the following evolution of vehicle thefts:

• 2019: 1993 offenses
• 2020: 1500 offenses
• 2021: 1448 offenses

This downward trend can be attributed to several factors:

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New fraud methods: theft of license plates

Besides classic vehicle theft, other fraudulent schemes have emerged recently. In August 2022, in Satu Mare, a novel method was reported: theft of license plates to obtain free fuel at gas stations.

How the stolen plates scheme works

Criminals proceed as follows:

1. They remove license plates from vehicles that are not used regularly
2. They mount these plates on their own cars
3. They fuel at gas stations without paying
4. The rightful owner of the plates is contacted afterwards to settle the consumption

This method places both the vehicle owner and the fuel station in a difficult position, generating confusion and complex legal proceedings.

Prevention recommendations

For preventing classic theft:

• Parking in well-lit, busy areas
• Using alarm and immobilizer systems
• Avoiding leaving valuables visible in the vehicle
• Regularly checking the vehicle for suspicious objects

For preventing license plate theft:

• Periodic checks of rarely used vehicles
• Parking in secured locations for long-stay cars
• Installing security screws for license plates
• Immediately reporting the disappearance of plates

Economic context and impact on crime

Rising living costs and fuel prices have contributed to the intensification of automotive crime phenomena. The difficult economic context in recent years has led to a diversification of theft methods and increased ingenuity of criminals.

Law enforcement faces challenges in combating these phenomena due to:

• Insufficient resources at the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MAI)
• The increasing complexity of methods used
• The need to continually adapt to new techniques
• Cross-border cooperation for recovering stolen vehicles

In this context, prevention and vigilance by vehicle owners become essential for reducing the number of auto crimes. Educating the public about these new methods represents an important step in combatting modern auto crime.