Metro Nashville Police warn of fast “sliding” thefts targeting unlocked cars at gas pumps

A quick-theft pattern police say can happen in seconds

Metro Nashville Police are urging drivers to take extra precautions at gas stations amid a rise in thefts known as “sliding,” a technique in which a thief enters an unlocked vehicle while the driver is distracted fueling. Police describe the incidents as fast, opportunistic and often completed within seconds.

Investigators say the recent cluster of reports has been concentrated in Midtown Nashville, with reports dating back to Jan. 10. More than a dozen incidents have been reported over roughly the past month, with many occurring during daytime hours.

Where reports have been concentrated

Police say the majority of recent reports have centered on two corridors frequently used by commuters and shoppers: the area around the Kroger on 8th Avenue and stretches along Nolensville Pike. Additional reports have also been recorded at a Thorntons on Murfreesboro Pike and a Mapco on Bell Road, though police noted those incidents involved different suspect descriptions than the Midtown-area cases.

Detectives assigned to the department’s Vehicle Crimes Unit are investigating. Police said they have received a range of suspect vehicle descriptions and are working to obtain and review surveillance video to determine whether the thefts are connected or involve multiple individuals or groups.

How “sliding” works

Police describe the method as relying on distraction and proximity: a driver exits to pump gas, turns away from the cabin, and the suspect quickly opens an unlocked door—often the passenger side—then crouches low to reduce visibility while removing items left in plain view. The theft typically targets easy-to-grab valuables such as purses, backpacks, wallets, phones and other personal property.

Police said victims in the recent Nashville reports have often been women, a pattern officers attributed to how belongings are commonly placed in the front seat area, making them visible and accessible from outside the vehicle.

Safety steps police emphasize at the pump

• Turn off the vehicle and lock the doors immediately after stepping out.
• Maintain situational awareness while fueling and avoid distractions such as phones or earbuds.
• Keep valuables out of sight and avoid leaving purses or bags on the front seat.

Police emphasized that the thefts are typically non-confrontational and depend on an unlocked door and a brief lapse in attention.

Police encourage anyone who believes they may have been targeted—particularly at locations and times matching the recent pattern—to report the incident promptly so detectives can compare timelines, suspect descriptions and any available video evidence.