After my son passed away, my daughter-in-law has no one except for me. She called me yesterday and said that something weird has been happening to her. She keeps finding a plastic bottle stuck on her tire after she leaves work. It really worries me. What could it mean?

 

🚨 Plastic Bottle on a Car Tire: A Known Warning Sign

In recent years, there have been alerts and safety warnings circulating about plastic bottles being used as a tactic by car thieves or stalkers. The basic idea is this:

1. A plastic bottle is wedged between the tire and the wheel well on the passenger side of a parked car.

2. When the driver gets in and starts to drive away, they hear a strange noise (the bottle crunching).

3. Most people will stop the car and get out to check, possibly leaving the engine running or the keys in the ignition.

4. That’s when a thief — who may be watching nearby — jumps in the car and drives away.

5. Alternatively, it may be used as a tracking tactic — to identify or monitor a specific target’s vehicle or habits.

This method originated in parts of Latin America and has shown up in other countries through social media reports and police warnings.

While not every instance is malicious — sometimes trash gets stuck — repeated or consistent appearances of a plastic bottle on your daughter-in-law’s car should not be ignored, especially if it’s always after work, in the same place, or done in a deliberate-looking way.

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👀 What She (and You) Should Do Right Now

1. Do Not Ignore It

If this has happened more than once, it could very well be targeted or intentional.

2. Stay Vigilant at Work

• Ask if there’s security camera coverage where she parks.

• If possible, ask to park closer to entrances or in well-lit, higher-traffic areas.

• She might want to ask security or management to escort her to her car for the time being.

3. Don’t Exit the Car Immediately If She Hears a Noise

If she notices something odd (like a weird crunching noise), she should:

• Lock the doors

• Drive to a public or safe location (gas station, police station, crowded parking lot)

• THEN check the car, not right in the lot where she could be vulnerable

4. Inspect the Vehicle Before Driving

She can also walk around the vehicle quickly before entering — if safe — to check for anything suspicious:

• Plastic bottles

• Cords or wires near the wheels

• GPS trackers (under bumpers or wheel wells — sometimes magnetic)

5. Document Every Instance

She should take a photo each time it happens, log the date and time, and if possible, notify:

• Local police (even if just to file a report)

• Workplace security

Even if nothing “happens,” it helps create a record in case it escalates or repeats.

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🛑 What This Might Indicate (Worst-Case Scenarios)

We don’t want to assume the worst, but it’s worth being aware:

1. Attempted Car Theft

The bottle trick is often used to steal unattended vehicles.

2. Stalking

If the person knows her schedule (leaves work at the same time), this could be a method of tracking or intimidation.

3. Harassment

Someone could be playing a sick prank or trying to scare her.

4. Coincidence or Trash

It's possible — but unlikely — that it's a recurring, random thing.

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🧷 Additional Safety Steps

• Have her phone in hand while walking to the car — ready to dial 911.

• She can pretend to talk to someone on the phone when leaving work — appearing alert and not alone.

• Consider giving her a personal alarm or whistle to keep on her keychain.

• If she’s comfortable, she can ask a coworker to walk with her to her car.

• If you're nearby, maybe you or a trusted friend could pick her up occasionally until this settles.

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📞 When to Involve the Police

Encourage her to file a police report now, especially if it has happened more than once. Even if they can’t act on it yet, the report:

• Creates an official record

• Alerts local patrols to keep an eye on that parking lot

• Gives her validation that her concerns are being taken seriously

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💬 How to Support Her Emotionally

This situation is already scary on top of grief and isolation. You’re already doing the most important thing — being there for her.

You can also:

• Validate her fear — don’t brush it off as “nothing.”

• Let her know you take her safety seriously.

• Remind her she’s not alone, and you’ll support her in taking action.

• Encourage her to trust her gut — if something feels off, it probably is.

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🔚 Final Word on the Situation

This kind of situation, no matter the motive, demands awareness and action. It might be nothing — but even if it is, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Please keep encouraging your daughter-in-law to protect herself, speak up, and never brush off something that feels off. And thank you for being the kind of person who watches out for someone who has already lost so much.