A ‘strange liquid’ left by a South London thief has a car owner baffled – with some suggesting the mystery fluid could be a bizarre ‘calling card’. Chris McCartney warned Catford locals about the odd substance after accidently leaving his car unlocked on his driveway on Aldermoor Road earlier this year.
A doorbell camera caught two opportunists stealing Mr McCartney’s coat from the back seat at around 12:30am on March 23. When he went to check the vehicle in the morning, Mr McCartney said he found an unusual wetness which reminded of him another occasion when a single pound coin was stolen and the back seats were ‘soaked’.
Video footage of the coat theft shows the stealers walking past the vehicle and one of them testing the door. Once he gains access he can be seen leaning down inside the car, searching for items. The video gives no clue to how any secretions were left on the seat.
Posting on Lewisham Catford Community, Mr McCartney wrote: “Hello everyone, I stupidly left my car unlocked last night (kind of have the flu) on our driveway on Aldermoor Road.
“This pair rifled through the car at half past midnight (one kept lookout) and got away with my coat that I had left on the back seat. They also left a strange liquid on both front seats, presumably drool. Police noted it down but seemingly nothing they can do.
“This happened before at after midnight when I last left it unlocked. They took a pound coin, but also left the doors slightly open and soaked the back seats. The same guy came back a week later and tried the doors on all the cars down the street. Not expecting anyone can help, just a heads up that it is happening and when if general does. Crime reference: 01/7297103/25.”
In the comments, some neighbours said the substance could be urine, while one suggested it could be a calling card. Historically, calling cards have been used by high-profile criminals. It’s thought some burglars also leave chalk signs in front of houses that are worth targeting.
Other residents gave useful advice, like keeping car key fobs at the back of the house so crooks cannot hack into to them as easily. Another resident suggested turning off the keyless feature, which can be done on most keyless vehicles.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said there have been no arrests.
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