Cars stolen from car washes in New York: police ask owners to be careful

Police warn the public about a series of car thefts at car washes in Westchester County, New York. NBC.

Around 13:00 pm on February 13, a blue BMW with temporary registration and black tinted windows pulled into the Diamond Car Wash on Halsted Avenue in Mamaroneck, according to the Mamaroneck Township Police Department. A passenger in black gloves, a mask and a hood jumped out of the BMW and sat behind the wheel of a freshly washed BMW X5, whose owner was waiting for the completion of maintenance on his car.

The police tried to stop the stolen car, but could not - he fled the scene. However, that evening it was found in Queens and returned to its owner.

A few hours later, at 21:00 on February 13, a similar incident occurred at the Pelham Car Wash on Boston Post Road in the town of Pelham Manor. Workers were finishing drying a customer's car when a black Audi pulled up. From there, a masked man came out and jumped into the client's car. And then both cars left. Both the owner of the car and the car wash employees could not believe their eyes - they did not have time to react.

“They have a clear plan and work pattern. They know what they're doing. The traffickers then use the previously stolen cars to commit other crimes,” said Lt. P. J. Trujillo of the Mamaroneck Police Department.

This series of thefts did not end there. On February 14 at around 15:45 pm, a gray BMW was stolen from a Dip In Car Wash on Mamaroneck Avenue in Mamaroneck.

Police received surveillance footage of the two incidents. They show how the thieves are waiting for the perfect moment. Investigators have said the three cases may be related to other cases in Tri-State, but they are not sure yet.

Police are asking people to be vigilant when visiting car washes.

So far, no one has been arrested in this case.