by Alex Lloyd Gross
If you were at a WAWA in Philadelphia this morning, chances are you encountered some police officers who were stationed there to distribute auto theft prevention materials. Too often, people run into a convenience store for just a few minutes, leaving their car unlocked—or even running. When they come back out, the car is gone. It takes about 10 seconds to jump into a vehicle and drive off.
Recently, a woman went into a pizza shop and did just that. When she returned, her car was gone—with her children still inside. Police are hoping to prevent incidents like this from happening again. That is why officers were at WAWA locations across the city. A press conference was held to discuss the different ways thieves steal cars.
Alex Lloyd Gross Photo Delaware Valley News.com Police examine the display of auto theft prevention devices and materials.
It is not uncommon for criminals to purchase equipment that can intercept codes sent by vehicle remotes and then use that information to gain access to cars. Police were stationed at 31 WAWA locations for about two hours today, distributing informational materials.
The campaign includes informational flyers, community workshops, and social media outreach, with support from community partners like Wawa to help amplify the message citywide. Educational efforts focus on strategies such as installing anti-theft devices, being vigilant about key fob placement and storage, and securing vehicles with additional locking mechanisms. Most break-ins occur through broken windows, sunroofs, or door handles, with peak theft hours between 10:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. However, as more vehicles rely on key fobs and keyless entry systems, criminals have increasingly turned to technology-based methods to steal cars.
“We are proud to support the Philadelphia Police Department and their efforts to educate and protect our community from auto theft,” said David Simonetti, Sr. Director of Store Operations at Wawa. “At Wawa, safety is always our number one priority, so this partnership is just one more way we can support our everyday heroes and reach our customers about this important initiative.”
Locally, some police districts have also distributed Faraday bags, which help block radio signals by keeping key fobs inside them.