3 Helpful Tips To Stay Safe From Parking Lot Theft

Parking lot theft is becoming more and more an issue in America. From someone grabbing your bag while you load groceries, to your whole car getting stolen while you shop, parking lot crimes are happening. But there are a few things you can do to keep yourself safe and avoid being the next victim.

Locals are often hearing stories about people in their own neighborhoods being victims of parking lot theft. Just a few days ago, a Las Vegas local posted an incident on Reddit involving a woman getting her purse stolen from her passenger seat. This happened in a Costco parking lot, presumably while she loaded her groceries.

Thanks to the GPS tracking on her phone, the woman's son was able to track down the purse to a local Target, where he reported that he confirmed with the store the thieves used his mother's credit card to buy over $1500 worth of merchandise. The man reported that neither of the stores management was able to help, but that the case was instead turned over to detectives.

With more and more employees being advised not to physically detain shoplifters for fear of violence, it's more important than ever for shoppers to be vigilant about thieves. There are things we can do to protect ourselves from this increasingly common crime. Here are a few tips to remember the next time you go shopping.

1. Keep Your Purse/Bag With You

In the past, it's been advised to put your purse in your car before you load your groceries, so it's not stolen from your cart when you turn around to load things into your trunk. However, that's not enough anymore. As we saw in the story earlier, your bag can be taken right from your passenger's seat.

Related: Nevada Residents Among Highest Risk For Car Theft

The best way to protect your belongings is to keep them with you. If you can invest in a crossbody bag or waist belt to wear while you shop, that is best. If not, you can either hold onto your purse while you load, or put your purse in your trunk first and load your bags next to it. Either way, keep it in your sight at all times. Thieves are sneaky and getting more diligent about taking things in the blink of an eye.

2. Stay Alert And Be Aware Of Your Surroundings

Another reddit user recently posted that her wallet was stolen when two men stopped her in a parking lot and told her that her tire was low. When she got out to look at the tire, they grabbed her bag from inside the car. Sometimes thieves will also put a piece of paper or some other distraction on your back window and wait for you to get out of the car to remove it. And when it comes to the worst distraction of all, our phones, that call to your friend can wait until you're safe in your car with the doors locked.

If someone stops you to talk to you and there isn't anyone around, get in your car and crack the window to have a conversation. Never fall for looking in a direction someone is pointing, especially if that direction is opposite where your belongings are. Again, it only takes a second.

3. Park In A Safe Spot

This is an oldie but a goody that still rings true. If you have to shop after dark, get as close to the store and in as well lit a place as you can find. Even if that means driving around a few times to get a good spot. Thieves have a harder time being sneaky when the have a light shining on them or people watching them. If you suspect anything odd, ask a store clerk to walk you to your car for protection.

Shopping is something we do so often that it's easy to become too comfortable while doing it. However, thieves can be anywhere and it can difficult to get justice once the crime is done. It's up to the consumers to be on guard and vigilant about keeping ourselves alert in the situations where we are most vulnerable.

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With Justin Timberlake being arrested and making headlines in the news, it marks another name in the long legal book of celebrity arrests and DUIs.

We've seen this headline before of a celebrity drinking too much and going behind the wheel. We also live in Las Vegas, which is notorious for our fatal, drunk-driver catastrophes. The 24/7 drinking and clubs also make it the perfect ground for fighting.

Last year, TikTok celebrity Bryce Hall made news after a kerfuffle happened between him and an XS nightclub security guard that was recorded by bystanders and ultimately uploaded online.

According to TMZ, Las Vegas Metro Police Department responded to a call from XS, which is located in The Wynn. Police ended up citing Hall with two counts of battery and one count of trespassing -- all misdemeanors by the way. Video captured from the "fight" shows Hall and a few security guards getting into an altercation. A few punches were thrown and grunts were heard, but this fight may seem pretty tamed compared to other "celebrity altercations" that have taken place between LVMPD and Hollywood's finest.

Christopher Massey is an actor who is best known for playing Michael Barret on the Nickelodeon television series "Zoey 101." Along with his brother, Kyle Massey, who also had a few issues with the law, Christopher ran into some trouble during a night out in Vegas. Police arrested Christopher Massey on a misdemeanor charge of domestic battery. He was arrested after having an altercation with his then girlfriend Cassalei Jackson at Marquee Club at The Cosmopolitan on April 10, 2016, according to Las Vegas Metro Police Department.

It was April 17, 2015 when security guards conducted a routine search to enter the MGM Grand's Wet Republic pool complex, according to a report from USA Today. This is when officials allegedly found 3.3 grams of cocaine and several capsules in the back pocket of Stoll's shorts, USA Today states. He pleaded guilty to two of the cases misdemeanors in June 2015. It definitely seems like he's doing better now! 

This was one of the most "memorable" celebrity arrests. Bruno Mars, whose real name is Peter Hernandez, had a fun night turn pretty unpleasant. According to an article by CBS News, security at the former Hard Rock Hotel and Casino (RIP) detained Mars. According to reports,  the singer was carrying 2.6 grams of cocaine. Considering this happened more than a decade ago and Bruno was 24 at the time, we can agree that this was a pretty common "mistake" that many young people partake in when they visit Sin City. 

This sounds like an interesting night at Drai's Nightclub. Chris Lammons, cornerback for the Kansas City Chiefs, "allegedly sucker punched a man, touching off an attack that left a man hospitalized," KSHB- Kansas City reported. This all happened Feb. 5, 2022 at The Cromwell's Drai's Nightclub. Lammons surrendered to police and was charged with a felony count of battery resulting in substantial bodily harm, and a gross misdemeanor count of conspiracy to commit battery, according to reports. 

This story is still ongoing. 25-year-old Blueface, whose real name is Johnathan Porter, is a rapper that gained virality from his catchy and snappy rap songs and his over-the-top demeanor. His relationship with reality star Chrisean Rock has been a social media spectacle that leaves many people unable to look away from their tumultuous story line. 

But, recent news about Blueface's time in Las Vegas came when police arrested the rapper on the following charges: attempted murder with a deadly weapon, discharge a firearm into an occupied vehicle (two counts), and possession of a gun by a prohibited person (due to an "active protection order" Porter was served in January). According to a report from ABC 13, a man claimed to police that he was allegedly shot at. This incident occurred at Euphoric Gentlemen's Club with the victim allegedly claiming that he was attacked and shot at by what he believes was "Blueface's entourage." 

This story is gut-wrenching. Ash Armand, whose real name is  Akshaya Kubiak, was best known for his small roll on the trash reality show, "Gigolos." In 2020, police responded to a call at Armand's home.

Upon arrival, police found the victim, 29-year old Herleen Dulai, dead with intense signs of trauma. According to the press release from Las Vegas Metro Police Department, detectives believe that Armand (Kubiak) was under the influence of narcotics and beat the victim to death. Police arrested him for one count of open murder. Rest in peace, Herleen. 

In 2012, police arrested Hilton at the Wynn resort. According to CBS News, police said a small plastic bag containing .8 of a gram of cocaine spilled from her purse. She plead guilty to two misdemeanor charges, according to the report. 

According to the Las Vegas Sun, Flavor Fav, whose real name is William Jonathan Drayton Jr. was accused of chasing his then girlfriend's 17-year-old son with a knife and then stabbing a door with it.

In November 2011, the Mötley Crüe rock star Vince Neil plead guilty to a misdemeanor disorderly conduct. This incident happened after Neil was accused of allegedly harassing his ex-girlfriend during a show at the Las Vegas Hilton. According to the Las Vegas Sun, Neil's plea agreement had him pay a $1,000 fine, and prosecutors dropped a charge of battery constituting domestic violence.

Warning: This case may contain details that some readers find disturbing.

Jon "War Machine" Koppenhaver was a mixed martial arts fighter, who had a streak of fame after a stint on reality fighting TV. He dated adult actress Christy Mack, which elevated his press and media presence in a way. However in 2017, Nevada jurors and the court convicted him of 29 felonies stemming from his attack on his ex-girlfriend, Mack, and her boyfriend -- who she was already dating for two months -- Corey Thomas, according to ABC news. 

In 2014, Koppenhaver brutally attacked the two after Koppenhaver arrived at Mack's home unexpectedly. He started with beating Thomas first then brutally assaulted and beat Mack. According to reports from the time, Mack had a broken nose, broken facial bones, missing teeth, a fractured eye socket and leg injuries and a ruptured liver. He was sentenced to life in prison with a possibility of parole after 36 years, according to KTNV. 

Despite his gruesome crime and his life sentence, Koppenhaver actually got married in 2018 to his former penpal.

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