Women warned to lookout for 'sliders' - thieves operating at gas stations who steal your bag while you're at the pump

Sliders is the name given to thieves who prey on women at gas stations and snatch their bags when they're busy pumping gas

Police are advising people to lock doors, roll up windows and keep valuable close-by

Women across the country are being warned to be on the lookout for a new type of theft which is becoming increasingly popular at gas stations.



The thieves have been tagged ‘sliders’ and their crime is to brazenly steal bags from vehicles while the driver is preoccupied with either pumping gas or paying for it.



Women in particular are vulnerable because many typically leave their bags or purses unprotected on the front seat with the door unlocked and the window down.

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Women across the country are being warned to be on the lookout for 'sliders', a new type of theft which is becoming increasingly popular at gas stations

Sliders are thieves who prey on women while they are filling their vehicle with gas and don't notice someone quickly robbing them

Police has coined the term ‘sliders’ to describe the thieves because they slide up to your vehicle below the eye level of the car door and can snatch a purse in a matter of seconds.



Incidents have been reported across the country in cities including Houston, Miami and Washington DC and the CCTV footage typically shows the same scenario.

A woman will be preoccupied with pumping gas when a car will pull up next to her vehicle and without her noticing, someone will slide into and grab whatever is sitting on the front seat – typically a purse or bag full of valuables.



In some instances the victims realize what has happened, but in most instances it is too late and the thieves are already pulling away from their stolen loot.



CCTV footage typically shows the same scenario occurring across the country

In most instances the victim only realizes what has happened when it is too late and the thieves are already pulling away from their stolen loot

Child care locations are another spot where women are often preoccupied and therefore vulnerable to this type of crime.



'Your vehicle is not a secure location for your belongings,' Houston police officer Jim Woods told ABC .



To avoid becoming a victim of this type of crime, all drivers are encouraged to lock the doors, roll up the windows and keep valuables by your side at all time, but don't put it on the pump where they can also be vulnerable to thieves.

