For a Camaro owner stranded with keys locked inside, help seemed only a phone call away. But the rescuer’s verdict after watching a video showing an already damaged car wasn’t comfort—it was anxiety and uncertainty that led to his refusal: “Not worth the risk.”
Ray Brito (@roadsidetechtips), owner of Mobile Battery & Tire in Jacksonville, Florida, explained his dilemma in a viral TikTok clip that has garnered over 4,000 views.
“After seeing the damage on the door and the fact that they had already taken the taillight out and stuff, I didn't want to mess with it,” he said. “Someone else had already damaged his car, so I didn't want to get involved with that.”
Why Was Fixing the Camaro Too Much of a Risk?
When the local AAA dispatch sent him to assist with a Camaro lockout, Brito asked for a video and photos first. The images revealed a car that already bore the scars of prior attempts: The door trim was scratched, the taillight assembly had been removed or loosened, and there was no obvious safe access point.
Ray says he knew immediately that proceeding could turn him into the “fall guy” for additional damage.
“If you had gone out there, then it’s not clear who had done what in terms of the damage,” he said in an interview with Motor1. “They can try to blame it on me, and it’s better to just not be involved in a situation like that.”
He’s no stranger to turning down dangerous jobs. In another case, Brito recounted, he arrived to help change a flat tire for a woman whose vehicle also bore fresh damage from backing into her carport structure. He snapped photos, informed the dispatcher, and left rather than risk being accused of causing the harm.
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“You hate to turn a job down,” he said, “but sometimes people can be shady. … It’s better to avoid those situations altogether.”
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Brito said the decision is not taken lightly. Tow operators and roadside technicians are typically expected to respond to service calls without question, and rejecting a job can frustrate customers. When the job originates from AAA or an insurance dispatch, he says he can more easily decline without having to “sell” the reasoning. But when dealing directly with a frustrated customer, he attempts diplomacy, referring them to locksmiths or other providers rather than uttering a curt refusal.
At the heart of this refusal lies two intertwined challenges: the technical complexity of certain vehicles and the liability risk of doing further harm. Frameless windows, like those on many Camaro coupes, pose a particular headache. Without a rigid window frame to wedge against, common tools such as slim jims or inflatable wedges lose their leverage and increase the risk of damage to glass or seals. Because these vehicles often employ recessed latches and tight tolerances, even slight pressure or misalignment can cause the trim to crack or break the seals.
This specific Camaro is far from unique. Among automotive locksmith and roadside communities, vehicles with frameless windows, sliding glass couplings, or hidden latches are often cited as “nightmare” assignments. In forums, locksmiths note that convertible and coupe models with frameless glass tend to crack windows more easily and resist entry tools. Some even balk at accepting such calls unless the job is sufficiently priced to compensate for risk. One Reddit commenter put it bluntly: “Any convertibles or cars with no frame around the window… it increases likelihood of cracking a window.”
How Common Are Vehicle Lockouts?
The broader picture highlights the frequency of lockout calls. Industry data indicate that more than 4 million people are locked out of their vehicles annually. In 2024, AAA logged over 27 million service calls, including numerous requests for battery, towing, and lockout services. According to AAA’s own lockout policy, its roadside technicians will attempt to enter the vehicle, and if unsuccessful, towing or a locksmith referral becomes the fallback.
Yet, despite the ubiquity of lockouts, few jobs are as polarizing as one involving preexisting damage. In that sense, Brito’s refusal is rare but defensible. It highlights the tension between customer expectations, technician liability, and the complexity of the automotive industry.
For owners of performance cars or vehicles with frameless windows, Ray’s story holds practical lessons. Don’t let multiple service providers “try their luck” on your vehicle, since each attempt stacks more risk and more blame. Keep spare keys in safe, redundant places. Be realistic about the limits of roadside assistance versus professional locksmithing or dealer-level tools. And when a technician declines, it may not be a matter of unwillingness, but rather caution, given the stakes.
