story is a good example of how an unusual image can become an alarming internet warning.
Some versions present the technique as though it were a proven, widespread crime method, while available evidence does not support that level of certainty.
That doesn’t mean you should ignore suspicious circumstances. It simply means there’s a difference between being alert and assuming that every plastic bottle near a tire is a criminal setup.
The Bottom Line
If you discover a plastic bottle wedged against your tire, don’t panic—but don’t blindly drive away either.
