News

Actions

Man seen stealing items from parked vehicle at Portsmouth gas station

Posted at 1:14 PM, Sep 15, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-15 20:30:05-04

PORTSMOUTH, Va. - Portsmouth Police are looking for several people involved in a larceny from a vehicle parked at a local gas station.

The incident occurred on Saturday, September 10.

Surveillance video shows the victim entered the BP gas station at 4113 George Washington Highway and while they were inside, two men were seen hanging out near the gas station's front door.

One of the men enters the victim's unlocked vehicle and steals her wallet and cell phone.

The man then leaves the area with the other man and an unknown woman.

According to Portsmouth Police Detective WJ Baker thefts like this are known as "jugging" and its a big problem in cities all across Hampton Roads.

"Its an on going event right now. Throughout all cities there are kids going around and just hitting all the door handles to see what they can find," said Detective Baker.

Police say the best way to protect yourself from becoming a victim of "jugging" is to constantly lock your doors, because these thefts can happen in a matter of seconds and even in crowded areas like this case.

"These thieves are brave, they don’t care and they are going to do it," said Detective Baker. "A lot of people don’t pay attention to what’s going on in their surroundings right now. They are on their cell phones or walking into the store they aren’t paying attention, giving thieves a chance to do this in front of others."

Anyone with information as to the identity of the female or the two male subjects pictured in the surveillance video footage is asked to call the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.