WEBSTER GROVES, Mo. — Webster Groves police are warning people after a recent car theft. The thieves used a tactic described as "bump and steal."
Police said it's putting drivers in danger in more ways than one.
Neighbors shared home surveillance footage from their doorbell camera that shows a car at about 5:35 p.m. being rear-ended on South Rock Hill Road in Webster Groves.
The family across the street from the incident was having Sunday dinner when all of a sudden they heard the damaged car being driven down the road by the car thieves.
The victim was left stranded holding his own keys.
When Doug Allenbaugh, a neighbor on South Rock Hill Road, saw the doorbell camera footage, he said "It was just absolutely shocking."
After rear-ending the driver, one teenage suspect got out and told the victim "sorry" for bumping into the stopped car, according to the police report.
Then, the other suspect jumped in the passenger side door of the victim's car. Both cars soon after barreled down the street, driven away by the suspects.
Allenbaugh has told his two children who are teenage drivers, "the fact that something like this could happen is something that I wouldn't even expect, let alone expect two newer drivers in the past two years here. You've really got to assess the situation. I wouldn't expect them to jump out of the car automatically anymore."
Webster Groves Police said the suspects never threatened the victim and no one was injured. The department is now coordinating with other agencies who've faced similar events recently.
If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact Lt. McCoy at the Webster Police Department by calling 314-963-5407.