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Police have warned motorists to be aware of 'slider' thefts which are on the rise.
Opportunistic thieves catch drivers unaware as they fill their cars with petrol and sneak in to the vehicle to steal items such as handbags and mobile phones.
There's been an increase in reports of the thefts across the US, particularly California.
The thieves generally find a victim at a petrol station and drive up on the opposite side of their vehicle.
They bend down out of sight of the victim, 'slide' up to the car, open the door and take a purse or wallet.