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Fake Car Valets Steal 2 Cars From Center City Parking Garages

By Steve Beck

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Philadelphia police are warning car owners after two vehicles were stolen by fake valets in the past week.

Investigators say the first theft happened at about 3:30 p.m. on February 20th at a parking garage near the 1900 block of JFK Boulevard in Center City.

Authorities say a female driver pulled into a parking garage and left her keys in the car believing a man standing nearby was a parking attendant. When the victim walked away from her car, the suspect got into her car and stole it.

The second theft happened at about 6:30 p.m. on February 22nd at a parking garage in the 1500 block of Sansom Street.

According to investigators, a man posing as a parking attendant handed the car owner an outdated ticket. When the victim questioned the fake attendant, he told her that the parking garage had recently updated its system. The victim left the area and the suspect stole her car.

It was not immediately known if the incidents are connected.

Anyone with information is urged to call police.

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