From The Michigan State Patrol


Subject: Warning From Law Enforcement - PLEASE READ!Please Share with Family Members!BE AWARE: CAR-JACKERS NEW SCHEMEImagine: You walk across the parking lot, unlock your car and get inside. Then, you lock all your doors, start the engine and shift into REVERSE. You look into the rearview mirror to back out of your parking space and you notice a piece of paper stuck to the middle of the rear window. So, you shift into PARK, unlock your doors and jump out of your car to remove that paper (or whatever it is) that is obstructing your view. When you reach the back of your car, the car-jackers appear out of nowhere, jump into your car and take off !!Your engine was running, (ladies would have their purse in the car) and they practically run over you as they speed off in your car.BE AWARE THAT THIS NEW SCHEME IS NOW BEING USED.If you find a piece of paper stuck on any window, just drive away and remove it later in a safe place. I hope you will forward this to friends and family...especially to women as they seem to be the preferred victims. A purse contains all identification, credit cards, checkbook, and you certainly do NOT want someone getting your home address. After all they now have your keys! This scheme has been reported to have occurred in Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Michigan. Law enforcement officials are concerned it will spread to other areas, especially during the upcoming holidays. Just be mindful of this scheme if/when travelling to major cities in these states.BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!

 

I just throw on my rear wipers and swipe it off!

 

I call BullSh*t!

http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/carjack.asp

 

I always look over the MINI for damage before I get in anyway, and would notice the big peice of obstructing paper right away.

Good ol' Snopes! From their website:



[font=Helvetica, Arial][size=3]Carjack Prevention Tips

[font=Helvetica, Arial][size=2]When was the last time you thought about your safety while driving to work or to the store? Many people take it for granted that they will arrive safely at their destination whenever they get behind the wheel. Although most trips go smoothly, there are times when things don't go as planned.

It only takes a split second for something to happen. One momentary distraction or lapse of awareness can give a criminal the opportunity to take advantage of your vulnerability.

Take a simple shopping excursion, for example. After shopping, you walk back to your car with your arms full of groceries and forget to look around before unlocking the car door. As you place the groceries on the seat, a man walks up behind you and takes you completely by surprise. Are you alert enough to prevent such an occurrence?

I recently talked with two Fremont residents who can attest to the importance of exercising caution when traveling. The first person took the time to write a very powerful letter about an incident that happened to his own father right here in Fremont. The incident occurred as his father was driving a car and was stopped at a red light at a major intersection. Without warning, a man appeared alongside his car and began knocking on the driver's window. The man then reached down, opened the unlocked door, and for no reason began to repeatedly punch the victim in the face. The assault occurred right in front of dozens of motorists driving by. After the attack, the man fled and has not been arrested.

In another case, a woman and her young son were confronted at gun point by two men as they attempted to back their car out of their own driveway. The men pulled up behind them in a car and blocked their path. Although the victims managed to avoid physical injury, the young boy is still having difficulty dealing with the aftermath of the incident. The fear and trauma associated with criminal activity is not something to be taken lightly.

While assaults and robberies in and around cars are not everyday occurrences in Fremont, any trip, whether long or short, day or night, needs to be taken seriously. Everyone should have a healthy sense of awareness whenever and wherever they travel. Here are some safety precautions that may help you avoid trouble:

• Try to select safe times and locations to travel.
  
• Keep your car properly maintained to avoid breakdowns.
  
• Carry a cellular phone or ham radio for emergency communications.
  
• Keep your car locked at all times. Don't leave windows rolled down far enough for people to reach inside.
  
• Whenever possible, have someone escort you to your car. As you approach your car, check the entire area for suspicious persons. If you don't like what you see, turn around and go back.
  
• Always check inside your car before you get in.
  
• Park in well-lighted areas close to the mall or business entrance.
  
• Avoid parking next to vans or high profile vehicles.
  
• Have your keys ready as you approach your car to avoid wasting precious seconds while entering. Lock all doors immediately.
  
• If a robber wants your car or other valuables, it is usually best to cooperate. Arguing or fighting may cause the robber to escalate to violence.
  
• Plan for the unexpected and practice mental and physical

[/size][/font][/size][/font]