Casually hanging out? Or stealing?

[gwlam12]

So if you're driving down the road in the middle of the night and you see a bunch of guys hanging around a car and one of them's holding a flashlight to it... would you think they are just hanging out? Or in the process of stealing something?

 

[DivideBYZero]

Maybe it's their car and you need to mind your own.

 

[thepd7]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Maybe it's their car and you need to mind your own.

with a flashlight? doubtful. OP, I would call the cops either way since they are either in need of help, stealing the car, or loitering.

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Whether it is their car or not, it can be reported as "suspicious persons". Be sure to give a description of the individuals, as well as the license plate of the vehicle, so they have that information if the vehicle is burglarized later.

 

[hjo3]

It's pretty suspicious. If they looked young/grungy, I'd probably assume they were trying to break into it. If they're all in nicely dressed, someone probably just locked their keys inside.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: hjo3
It's pretty suspicious. If they looked young/grungy, I'd probably assume they were trying to break into it. If they're all in nicely dressed, someone probably just locked their keys inside.

:roll:

 

[So]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero

Originally posted by: hjo3
It's pretty suspicious. If they looked young/grungy, I'd probably assume they were trying to break into it. If they're all in nicely dressed, someone probably just locked their keys inside.

:roll:

Say what you want, but car thieves don't generally dress well. I'm sorry, reality bites.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: So

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero

Originally posted by: hjo3
It's pretty suspicious. If they looked young/grungy, I'd probably assume they were trying to break into it. If they're all in nicely dressed, someone probably just locked their keys inside.

:roll:

Say what you want, but car thieves don't generally dress well. I'm sorry, reality bites.

Sometimes I dress scruffy and get into my M3. I'm pretty sure I'm not stealing it.

 

[mercanucaribe]

If they are Black, they are stealing the car.
If they are Hispanic, a drug deal is going down.
If they are Asian, they are looking for a lost 4gb thumbdrive with med school notes on it.
If they are Middle Eastern, they are planting a roadside IED.

You have to use common sense and racially profile, or else you're going to be calling in a lot of innocent people for "suspicious behavior".

 

[djheater]

Originally posted by: mercanucaribe
If they are Black, they are stealing the car.
If they are Hispanic, a drug deal is going down.
If they are Asian, they are looking for a lost 4gb thumbdrive with med school notes on it.
If they are Middle Eastern, they are planting a roadside IED.

lol.
I'll add
If they're white and scruffy they're looking to steal change for meth.

 

[SonnyDaze]

Originally posted by: gwlam12
So if you're driving down the road in the middle of the night and you see a bunch of guys hanging around a car and one of them's holding a flashlight to it... would you think they are just hanging out? Or in the process of stealing something?

1. What's the middle of the night for you? 8pm? 10pm? 2am?
2. What's a bunch of guys? 2? 3? 5? 8? 12? A sh*tload?
3. Holding a flashlight to what? The gas cap? The hood? The trunk? The window?
4. Besides Flashlight Man, what are the others doing? Keeping a look out? Pissing on tires?

Need more info to accurately guess this one. 😉

 

[cavemanmoron]

Maybe its somebody whose car broke,
and they need a new ignition module/ ballast resistor/
fuel pump relay, etc............ LOL.

At any rate call the Police, if they are a hazard to traffic.

Originally posted by: SonnyDaze

Originally posted by: gwlam12
So if you're driving down the road in the middle of the night and you see a bunch of guys hanging around a car and one of them's holding a flashlight to it... would you think they are just hanging out? Or in the process of stealing something?

1. What's the middle of the night for you? 8pm? 10pm? 2am?
2. What's a bunch of guys? 2? 3? 5? 8? 12? A sh*tload?
3. Holding a flashlight to what? The gas cap? The hood? The trunk? The window?
4. Besides Flashlight Man, what are the others doing? Keeping a look out? Pissing on tires?

Need more info to accurately guess this one. 😉

 

[regnez]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Maybe it's their car and you need to mind your own.

:thumbsdown::roll:

Originally posted by: thepd7

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Maybe it's their car and you need to mind your own.

with a flashlight? doubtful. OP, I would call the cops either way since they are either in need of help, stealing the car, or loitering.

:thumbsup:🙂

 

[Tom]

why are you driving in the middle of the night looking for guys ?

 

[meltdown75]

they locked their keys in it

 

[JulesMaximus]

I'd call the cops.

 

[thirdeye]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
I'd call the cops.

 

[dirtylimey]

I locked myself out of my car when I was moving once and a group of dirty looking Mexicans helped me get into it. First with a pr bar, then with a coat hanger to hook the keys from my seat and pull them out of the door. It was dark, flashlights were involved. If someone called the cops I would be pissed, unless they were good at opening locked cars 😉

 

[geecee]

If you really want to be sure, stop and get out and ask them what they're doing. If they're not doing anything unlawful, you can give them a hand if they need it. If they are doing something unlawful, they will probably beat you into unconsciousness and take your car. Either way, you'll know for sure after that. 😉

 

[thirdeye]

Originally posted by: dirtylimey
I locked myself out of my car when I was moving once and a group of dirty looking Mexicans helped me get into it. First with a pr bar, then with a coat hanger to hook the keys from my seat and pull them out of the door. It was dark, flashlights were involved. If someone called the cops I would be pissed, unless they were good at opening locked cars 😉

Why would you be pissed though? If cops came when I was trying to get into my own car, I'd be thankful. Mostly because if it was someone trying to break into my car, the cops would have stopped it. If it was truly your car, they would in most cases help you.

 

[dirtylimey]

Originally posted by: thirdeye

Originally posted by: dirtylimey
I locked myself out of my car when I was moving once and a group of dirty looking Mexicans helped me get into it. First with a pr bar, then with a coat hanger to hook the keys from my seat and pull them out of the door. It was dark, flashlights were involved. If someone called the cops I would be pissed, unless they were good at opening locked cars 😉

Why would you be pissed though? If cops came when I was trying to get into my own car, I'd be thankful. Mostly because if it was someone trying to break into my car, the cops would have stopped it. If it was truly your car, they would in most cases help you.

Because it was dark and i wasnt able to start packing my car. I just wanted to get it unlocked and go home. Cops ask too many questions, I dont appreciate their 'assistance'

...

Fine, I was stealing the car with the help of some Mexicans

 

[herbiehancock]

Originally posted by: dirtylimey
I locked myself out of my car when I was moving once and a group of dirty looking Mexicans helped me get into it. First with a pr bar, then with a coat hanger to hook the keys from my seat and pull them out of the door. It was dark, flashlights were involved. If someone called the cops I would be pissed, unless they were good at opening locked cars 😉

I locked my keys in my car once quite a few years ago and, believe it or not, a cop that stopped to see what the problem was opened my door up for me. He did check my car's registration out to make sure the vehicle was mine after he opened it up, but in just two minutes, I was on my way, out no money for a locksmith and thankful a policeman did stop by.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Maybe it's their car and you need to mind your own.

I'm sure if someone saw another person potentially breaking into your car, you'd want them to mind their own business right?

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Maybe it's their car and you need to mind your own.

I'm sure if someone saw another person potentially breaking into your car, you'd want them to mind their own business right?

In that case I would know they were up to no good. It's my car. The OP saw some random people next to a car and instantly thought they were stealing it.

FTL!

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Maybe it's their car and you need to mind your own.

I'm sure if someone saw another person potentially breaking into your car, you'd want them to mind their own business right?

In that case I would know they were up to no good. It's my car. The OP saw some random people next to a car and instantly thought they were stealing it.

FTL!

How would you know they were up to no good if you didn't see them? 😕 I said if someone saw another person potentially breaking into your car.

The OP didn't make any judgements, he recognized that there are two different possibilities - they're up to no good, or they're not up to no good.

What's the harm of calling the cops? If they're locked out of their car, the cop can get them into it. If they're stealing the car (less likely), the cop can catch a couple of car thieves. Win-win situation.

I'll say it again - if someone was breaking into YOUR car, and someone ELSE saw him, would you want him to call the cops or mind his own business?