Finding a plastic bottle lodged against your car tire can be surprising, especially if you’ve seen viral posts claiming it’s part of a car theft scheme. According to the online rumor, a thief places an empty plastic bottle between the tire and the wheel well so it creates a loud popping or crackling sound when the vehicle starts moving. The driver then stops to investigate, supposedly leaving the car vulnerable to theft.
Although this claim has circulated widely on social media for years, law enforcement agencies have found little verified evidence that it represents a common or widespread criminal tactic.
