Suspects have begun using a deception technique to steal cars from drivers, and the Portland Police Bureau is releasing information about it in an attempt to help the public avoid being victimized.

This week there have been at least four incidents, all in Southeast Portland. The victims all describe between 2 and 4 male teenagers running up to their car yelling, sometimes banging on the vehicle. They frantically yell that something is wrong with the vehicle or something is hanging out of the back of the vehicle. When the victims get out to check, the suspects jump in the car and drive it away. The victims have all been female ranging in ages from 29 to 75 years old driving alone.

*Tuesday, October 12, 2021 at about 3:00p.m., a Ford Fusion was stolen from a 29-year-old female at Southeast 28th Avenue and Southeast Woodward Street. The car was recovered unoccupied October 13 in the 5700 block of Southeast 72nd Avenue(21-285288).

*At 5:45p.m., at Southeast Tibbetts Street and Southeast Cesar E. Chavez Boulevard, a Subaru Outback was stolen from a 47-year-old female driver. It was recovered October 15 parked near Northeast Sandy Boulevard and Northeast 119th Avenue. (21-285307)

*On Thursday, October 14, 2021 at 4:32p.m., a Subaru Outback was stolen from a 75-year-old female driver at Southeast 28th Avenue and Southeast Franklin Street (21-287382).

*Twenty minutes later at 4:52p.m, the same technique was used to steal a Kia Sorento from a 36-year-old female at Southeast Cesar E. Chavez Boulevard and Southeast Lambert Street (21-287400).

None of the victims was injured or threatened. We recommend that if drivers are approached in this manner that they do not open their doors and drive away if it is safe to do so. PPB is looking to see if any other cases fit this pattern. If anyone has information about these incidents they're asked to e-mail crimetips@portlandoregon.gov.

###PPB###