COBB COUNTY, Ga. — “Sliding” is a method police say that many crooks are using to steal from people while they’re pumping gas.
Police said “sliders” are thieves who snatch women’s bags when they’re busy pumping gas.
Channel 2's Chris Jose spoke to one victim who had her purse stolen two weeks ago in Cobb County. She said it took just seconds.
“I don't know if it was more than 30 seconds,” Kristina Hausman said.
Surveillance video shows Hausman at a QT gas station on Paces Ferry Road in Vinings.
“I literally paid for my gas, put the pump in, came back to see if it was still going still, and got back into the car,” Hausman said.
TRENDING STORIES:
Hausman said she never saw the SUV pull up next to her or the thief slide into her car.
“I have that moment I just got violated, and at 10:45 in the morning,” Hausman said.
Police said Hausman’s case could be tied to several other slider thefts in metro Atlanta.
“These suspects have been hitting several different locations,” said Cobb County Sgt. Wayne Delk.
Two weeks ago, Channel 2's Chris Jose was at the same gas station and spoke to local attorney Katherine Russell. Thieves slid into her car and stole her purse.
“They're putting other people’s lives in danger,” Russell said. “They're committing more crimes, in the process and it's really just snow balling.”
Police said thieves nearly hit some pedestrians while they sped away.
“There are guys out there, suspects, criminals who are looking for opportunities to steal,” Delk said.
According to the police report, the thieves tried to use Hausman’s credit card at the Footlocker at the Cumberland Mall.
Hausman said she had already reported the cards stolen.
Since January, police records show a dozen car-related thefts on a 5-block stretch near the QT gas station on Paces Ferry Road.