Philadelphia police joined forces with Wawa on Thursday, Jan. 8, for a car theft prevention blitz at multiple stores across the city.
Police demonstrated how thieves exploit key fob signals to steal cars and showcased deterrents and safeguards. They include a lock that blocks access to a car’s onboard computer, a steering wheel lock, a seatbelt buckle device, and Faraday bags to protect key fob signals from being intercepted by criminals.
Early-morning outreach at Wawa convenience stores warned customers about leaving their cars running while fueling or grabbing coffee, a habit linked to increased theft risk.
“Don’t be a puffer,” said Deputy Commissioner Myesha Massey to CBS News Philadelphia. “That’s the slogan; that’s the slang for it.”
Officials framed the effort as educational outreach to reduce car theft. According to a CBS News Philadelphia report, police officials note a decline from approximately 22,000 incidents in 2023 to around 15,000 in 2025.
The website DelawareValleyNews.com underscored the importance of the police outreach campaign. According to a report, a woman went into a pizza shop and left her car running. When she returned, her car was gone — with her children still inside. Police are hoping to prevent incidents like this one from happening again.
“We are proud to support the Philadelphia Police Department and their efforts to educate and protect our community from auto theft,” said David Simonetti, senior director of store operations at Wawa, in a statement shared with DelawareValleyNews.com. “At Wawa, safety is always our No. 1 priority, so this partnership is just one more way we can support our everyday heroes and reach our customers about this important initiative.”