Casually hanging out? Or stealing?

gwlam12

Diamond Member
Apr 4, 2001
6,946
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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?
 

thepd7

Diamond Member
Jan 2, 2005
9,423
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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

Moderator<br>Distributed Computing
Moderator
May 13, 2003
13,704
7
81
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

Diamond Member
May 22, 2003
7,354
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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

Lifer
May 18, 2001
24,117
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0
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

Lifer
Jul 2, 2001
25,923
17
81
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

Lifer
May 18, 2001
24,117
2
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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

Banned
Oct 20, 2004
9,763
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0
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

Lifer
Mar 19, 2001
14,637
2
0
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

Diamond Member
Jul 31, 2004
6,867
3
76
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

Lifer
Mar 13, 2001
13,664
28
91
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

Golden Member
Aug 11, 2006
1,156
0
76
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::)
 

dirtylimey

Senior member
Nov 22, 2006
296
0
0
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

Platinum Member
Jan 14, 2003
2,383
43
91
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

Platinum Member
Jun 19, 2001
2,610
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76
www.davewalter.net
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

Senior member
Nov 22, 2006
296
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0
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

Senior member
May 11, 2006
789
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0
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

Lifer
Apr 29, 2003
48,920
46
91
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

Lifer
May 18, 2001
24,117
2
0
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

Lifer
Apr 29, 2003
48,920
46
91
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? :confused: 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?