PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Investigators are hoping the public can help identify a group of young men they believe are stealing cars from Philadelphia International Airport rental companies.
Philadelphia police say the thefts started in January and, since then, they’ve had about three dozen cars taken – or attempted to be stolen – from rental places like Hertz, Alamo and Budget.
They believe the group is organized, coming in on shuttles buses from the airport to the rental car service area where they’d take cars that had key fobs left inside.
Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore says the companies caught on and started to increase security measures by using heavier gates and putting down spike strips.
“They would run over the spike strip, the car would become disabled, they would get in the other car, and they were able to put something over the strip and drive right over the strips. And get away with a number of cars. Some of these other ones, they would just crash right through the fence.”
Now, he says their approaches are changing.
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“They produce a gun, point it at the attendant, tell the attendant to lift the gate and then all of the cars follow the lead car right out and get away,” he explained.
Vanore says they’ve been able to recover many of the cars in Southwest Philadelphia because of GPS monitors.
So far, they’ve arrested three people who were driving the stolen vehicles – they don’t believe those drivers are connected to the thefts.
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They say the suspects are about 16 to 22 years old. In most cases, they are wearing dark clothes and a mask that covers their face.
Police are asking that anyone with information on these incidents contact them at 215-686-8477 or submit an anonymous tip here.