In recent years, social media has been buzzing with alarming warnings about predators using sneaky tactics to target potential victims. People have reported bizarre methods like leaving zip ties on car door handles, wedging plastic water bottles in hubcaps, or even sitting on the hoods of cars! Although authorities claim these stories are just “urban legends,” it’s always smart to stay informed and vigilant.
Let’s dive into a chilling experience that one woman had when she discovered a water bottle on her car hood!
After a spooky encounter in a parking lot, TikTok user Haley West is now on a mission to warn others about possible dangers and the so-called “kidnapper tactics.”
Haley, feeling uneasy, recounted her story to her followers. “I’m literally shaking right now! The weirdest s**t just happened to me. I’m leaving Fresh Thyme, and I’m parked in this huge parking lot,” she shared on TikTok, her voice trembling with fear. She described how, as she walked back to her car, a man was trailing her too closely for comfort.
“This guy was walking kind of close to me but also not, and you could just feel him staring at me while he walked. Then he yells, ‘Hey, what’s your name?’ I just ignored him and kept moving, but he kept following me!”
Despite her attempts to brush him off, the man continued to stalk her through the lot.
When he approached her car, he said, “Come check out my car; it’s nice, it’s a Lexus. You like it?” Haley kept her cool, knowing that reacting would reveal it was her car. “I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want him to know it was mine, but I think he already did.”
Instead of getting into her car, Haley clutched her shopping bags tightly and decided to walk across the street until she felt it was safe to return. But when she finally made it back to her vehicle, her heart sank. On the hood, there sat a water bottle. “I don’t know if the two correlate, but it’s never happened to me before. I gotta get out of here!” she exclaimed, her instincts screaming for her to be cautious.
Before signing off, she warned her followers, “Harpers Point, Cincinnati, just be aware of your surroundings at all times, especially if you’re a woman. Be careful out there!”
Once her video went viral, it caught the attention of a viewer who shared a disturbing perspective in a now-deleted comment. “This is a tactic used by traffickers and kidnappers to lure you out of your vehicle… If this happens to you, just leave it there and drive away. It’ll fall off on its own.”
Even with such fears circulating on social media, officials are stepping in to clarify. Despite the buzz, they argue that the idea of tagging victims is highly unlikely. After a viral post warning of a zip tie trap, Michigan State Police felt compelled to speak out against the misinformation.
“It’s essentially like an urban legend or a scare-lore,” said Lt. Brian Oleksyk during an interview with WILX10. He addressed other myths, such as a flannel shirt on a car windshield or an elastic band around a side mirror, pointing out that criminals usually don’t warn their victims. “This is not how it’s done. It’s very rare for them to prey on a stranger. These myths slow us down from investigating real crimes. We have to prove that it’s a false hoax, and it’s got no material to it.”
What do you think about this creepy trend of criminals tagging belongings to identify victims? Share your thoughts below!
