Woman Leaves Starbucks When Stranger Warns Her Back Tire Is Flat. But She Can See It’s Fine On Her Backup Cam

For young women driving alone, a stranger approaching your car can immediately set off alarm bells, especially when they're insisting something is wrong with your vehicle. 

One Connecticut father is sounding the alarm about what he says is a growing tactic being used to target young female drivers, and his advice is clear: Get away, even if it means destroying your car in the process.

Father Shares Woman’s Scary Starbucks Parking Lot Encounter

In a viral video with more than 1.1 million views, radio and TV host Vinnie Penn (@vinniepenn) recounted a disturbing story his 22-year-old daughter told him about another young woman's experience at a Starbucks.

The young woman noticed a man staring at her inside the coffee shop. When she left with her coffee and got in her vehicle, she realized he had followed her outside and was behind her car. He began knocking on her window, claiming she had a flat tire.

"She just shouts through the window. ‘You know, I can tell by my dashboard. I can see where my tires are at there. They're all just fine. Thank you,’" Penn recounts.

But the man didn't accept her refusal. 

"He goes to the back of the vehicle, and he's shouting, ‘Your tires! … You've gotta get out of your vehicle," Penn says.

Fortunately, the young woman hadn't pulled too far into her parking spot. She was able to crank her steering wheel all the way to the left and drive away. But the incident raised an important question for Penn’s daughter: What if you're parked too far in? What if you have to reverse past someone who won't move?

"This is an epidemic in Connecticut. It's going on everywhere. It's going on at red lights," Penn says in the video. "They paint the picture of, ‘Hey, your tailpipe is hanging. Hey, I hear a funny noise. Get out of the vehicle.’ And they count on a young female to think, ‘Chivalry ain't dead.’ No, it is, and you're next."

Destroy the Rim if Necessary

Penn’s advice to his daughter was straightforward. 

"Just get out of there. Even if it's rolling back, lean on your horn. And if you've got to tap them with the vehicle, just get out of there," he says.

His daughter raised another concern: What if they slash the tire to force you to stop? Drive away anyway, he told her.

His daughter reminded him of a story he’d told her of when he was young and drove all the way home on a flat tire, destroying the rim and facing his parents' anger about the costly repair. 

"Destroy that rim. They slashed the tire. They think they're gonna keep you prisoner. You drive on that sucker. Destroy the hell out of that rim," Penn says in the video. "And do that after you back right into that son of a [expletive]."

A destroyed rim can be replaced, but your safety cannot, he emphasized.

Gallery: Ever Wondered How to Change a Flat Tire? Here Are the Steps

Police Issue PSA About Flat Tire Scam Tactic

Penn’s warnings aren't just parental paranoia; law enforcement agencies have documented flat tire scams as a real tactic used by criminals to target unsuspecting drivers.

The Culpeper County Sheriff's Office in Virginia issued a warning on Facebook about flat tire scams after receiving reports of "suspicious" encounters in the area. The sheriff's office noted that women and young people appear to be the primary targets of these incidents.

Criminals target individuals in parking lots by puncturing their tire or letting air out to create a slow leak. 

When the victim returns to their vehicle, a scammer posing as a good Samaritan points out the flat tire and offers to help change or fix it. While the victim is distracted by the "helpful" stranger, another scammer opens the unattended vehicle and steals items like purses, wallets, or electronics.

The sheriff's office emphasizes that prevention is key and offers several safety tips: 

• Be aware of your surroundings, especially in parking lots and dimly lit areas.
• Choose well-lit, secure parking areas with surveillance cameras when possible.
• Avoid being easily distracted by strangers.
• Don't immediately assume someone pointing out a flat tire is trying to help.

"Don't open the door or get out of your vehicle unless you feel comfortable doing so,” the post states.

If you suspect you're being targeted, the sheriff's office urges people to contact local law enforcement immediately and, if possible, safely obtain a picture, video, or license plate number.

Commenters React

“Drive on the flat. ignore the man, don't be afraid to hurt feelings. you do not owe ANYONE kindness,” a top comment read.

“If you’re in danger… body vs car… I’d rather replace a rim then plan a funeral,” a person said.

“Lock doors, call police, start driving,” another wrote.

“Yeah!!! Do not be afraid to OFFEND! Offend away!” a commenter added.

Motor1 reached out to Penn for comment via Instagram and TikTok direct message.