After a week of politics, it's time for something completely different.
I recently took a defensive driving course to get a 5% discount on my car insurance. I must have learned something because I now always wear my seatbelt, avoid using the cell phone, keep both handles on the wheel and lock my car. As I reflect on my past driving habits, it's a wonder I'm still alive or had a car to drive because I never locked it. I have a friend who, unlike me, has always religiously locked his car. But a few days ago, he was busy carting his kids to and fro and running several errands. When he turned in for the night, he forgot to lock his car. The next morning, when he left His North Bethlehem house to go to work, his car was gone. As (bad) luck would have it, he had just finished paying it off. It was the handiwork of what Bethlehem police told him is called the Wolf Pack. I've had two nice bikes stolen over the years, but never a car.
As my friend was dialing 911, a police cruiser pulled up to his house. Apparently, thieves had thrown most of his personal belongings onto a neighbor's lawn. He was called later that morning and told that his vehicle had been used in an unsuccessful carjacking in West Bethlehem.
I figured his car was a goner, but it was actually discovered Wednesday night outside of Planet Fitness on Stefko Boulevard. Police are processing the car for fingerprints, guns and illegal drugs. He should get his car back today, although he's unsure whether it's damaged.
Although some people may actually need to have their car returned right away, processing is a good idea. There could be trace amounts of fentanyl inside, which can make you very sick.
Police told my friend that they suspect this is the work of a loosely knit group (gang?) calling themselves the wolf pack because they tend to travel in groups. They walk up and down the streets of residential neighborhoods late at night, pulling on car handles. If the car is unlocked, they hop in and can use multiple devices to start the car and drive off.
This group is out primarily to steal what's inside the car, if it has any value. If not, they chuck the personal belongings. Then they use the solen car to commit other crimes over the course of a day or two before abandoning it.
The way Bethlehem police responded to this theft is pretty impressive. But I'm sure they'd rather see us all lock our cars.
10 comments:
I never understood why someone would be upset if their car was stolen unless something of sentimental value (and, in your example, the thieves did the courtesy of removing personal items (I wish!)) were in it; or, if the car itself was irreplaceable. But those cars stick out. A '67 Camaro draws much more attention to you than a '21 Honda CRV. Anyone who can afford a car worth stealing, I have no sympathy for if the car gets stolen. Must be nice to have something someone else would break the law and risk prosecution to take.
I'm not sure if this is a troll, but come on. The most commonly stolen cars in the US are almost all basic Hyundais, Kias, and Hondas. Not Rolls Royces. These cars often regular people's most important possessions outside of their house, if they're lucky enough to own. And these thieves aren't stealing them to sell, but to joyride and use for other crimes.
what prosecution?
It's all fun and games until a thief is introduced to the Second Amendment. That which is no longer taught in school is eventually taught in life. Is a car worth it? Of course not. But the more important question is: Are you feeling lucky, punk?
To Vladimir: Perhaps the most dumbass post ever to appear on this blog. And that’s saying something.
12:52: I am specifically referring to the mass produced cars like Hyundai and Honda. You need to make at least $200K/year to afford one. I don't know how people live with a $300-$600/Mo. car payment (and, of course add the cost of the full insurance coverage because you really do not own it). If you have that kind of disposable income, I do not have pity for you if this "important possession" is stolen or just taken for a joyride and damaged.
Yes, a Rolls-Royce or 60s/70s American branded muscle car draws a lot of attention and are of no value to a chop shop or crime ring.
Once a couple of these wolves get shot up, that will be the end of that.
Make the risk greater than the potential reward.
I split my time between houses in the Lehigh Valley and Arizona. Where the Arizona house is, these "late night car door checker gangs" are quite common even in the most expensive neighborhoods and have been for a few years now. They don't take the cars. They are just looking for unlocked cars so they can rummage through them and take cash, guns, phones, small electronics/power tools, designer handbags, whatever other small items of value might be in there. They usually wear face coverings and don't care about motion detector lights or cameras. They don't break windows or pry doors, just quietly open ones left unlocked.
I haven't seen or heard much about them in the Lehigh Valley yet, but I'm sure it's coming.
The best defense in my opinion is to actually lock your car (I can't believe how many people in 2025 still don't do this at home), and if you park in your driveway because your garage is full of worthless crap, get rid of the crap and park in the garage.
One should be particularly vigilant about leaving a garage door clicker in your unlocked car parked outside, especially if you are one of those people who doesn't lock the door from an attached garage into the house. This is like double stupidity.
@9:00 am your comment is both funny and so true at the same time
Huh?
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