How The Plastic Bottle Trick Supposedly Works
The method is simple. A thief places an empty plastic bottle near a tire, often on the passenger side where it is less likely to be noticed by the driver before entering the vehicle.
Once the car starts moving, the bottle becomes crushed and creates a loud crackling noise. Hearing the unusual sound, many drivers naturally stop their vehicle to investigate what is causing the problem.
According to the warning, this moment of distraction creates an opportunity for a criminal to act. The thief may attempt to steal the vehicle if it is left running, or quickly take valuables from inside while the driver is focused elsewhere.