Thieves have been using tow trucks to steal cars for some time, something we’ve warned about repeatedly. One of the latest examples of this crime comes from St. Louis where a guy with a wrecker was apparently pulling cars parked on the road onto his truck before taking off with them.
Suspect in a stolen car rams police six times trying to get away.
Police know of at least two cars stolen in a south St. Louis neighborhood they think the man swiped using the rollback, says KSDK News. However, a woman spotted him backing up to take a third vehicle, having already been in contact with police about the first two thefts, when she ran out and confronted the guy.
The exchange was caught on home surveillance cameras as the tow truck driver told the woman he was towing a vehicle for the city. But she knew that was a lie and told him so. Perhaps realizing he had been caught, the guy got back in the truck and took off.
Using that footage, police were able to positively identify the driver. But it gets better: the guy is apparently on probation and police found out he was meeting at the federal courthouse with his probation officer.
They showed up at the appointed time and arrested the suspect, charging him with felony theft and property damage. So not only is he facing these new charges but we bet he’s facing even more for violating his probation.
Instead of trying to make up some story, the guy reportedly just admitted to stealing the cars. At least he knew once the jig is up.
Sometimes car thieves steal a tow truck, then use it to swipe cars. Other times they buy one, leave it unmarked, and try taking vehicles in the dead of night. Then there are cases like this one where the guy’s driving what looks like a legit tow truck and takes cars in the middle of the day, almost like hiding in plain sight.
Image via KSDK News/YouTube
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