carjacks
Steals occupied automobiles
Carjacks is the verb form of carjack—to steal a vehicle by force or threat while someone is in or near it.
Unlike ordinary auto theft, carjacking involves confrontation: He carjacked her at a stoplight.
The crime typically occurs when drivers are stopped or entering their vehicles. (As a noun, a carjack is a device for lifting a car.)
Serious criminal offense
- armed robberyTheft with weapon threat
- hotwiringBypassing ignition without key
- stolen vehicleUnlawfully taken automobile
- accompliceCrime's willing helper
suspect · perpetrator · arrest · prosecution · sentencing · criminal record · organized crime · police report
Surprise strike from concealment
- gunpointAimed weapon's end
- intersectionPoint where paths meet
- traffic lightRoad signal device
- parking lotOutdoor vehicle storage area
driveway · forced entry · weapon · threat · accomplice · distraction · ruse · surveillance
Emotional response to threat
- panicUncontrollable sudden fear
- terrorExtreme, overwhelming fear
- traumaLasting psychological wound
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
helplessness · vulnerability · PTSD · survivor · targeted · ambushed · threatened · gunpoint
Tool for tire bolts
- tire ironLever for wheel changes
- spare tireEmergency replacement wheel
- wheel chockBlock preventing vehicle roll
- roadsideAdjacent to pavement
tire change · flat tire · emergency kit · trunk · lifting
State of perceiving reality
- vigilanceState of keen awareness
- locked doorsFastened entrances needing keys
- dashcamVehicle-mounted video recorder
- kill switchEmergency shutoff mechanism
alarm system · self-defense · well-lit areas · situational awareness · escape route · avoidance · security · anti-theft device
felony
Serious criminal offense
- armed robberyTheft with weapon threat
- hotwiringBypassing ignition without key
- stolen vehicleUnlawfully taken automobile
accomplice · suspect · perpetrator · arrest · prosecution · sentencing · criminal record · organized crime · police report
ambush
Surprise strike from concealment
- gunpointAimed weapon's end
- intersectionPoint where paths meet
- traffic lightRoad signal device
parking lot · driveway · forced entry · weapon · threat · accomplice · distraction · ruse · surveillance · opportunity
fear
Emotional response to threat
shock · helplessness · vulnerability · PTSD · survivor · targeted · ambushed · threatened · gunpoint · knifepoint
lug wrench
Tool for tire bolts
- tire ironLever for wheel changes
- spare tireEmergency replacement wheel
- wheel chockBlock preventing vehicle roll
roadside · tire change · flat tire · emergency kit · trunk · lifting
awareness
State of perceiving reality
- vigilanceState of keen awareness
- locked doorsFastened entrances needing keys
- dashcamVehicle-mounted video recorder
kill switch · alarm system · self-defense · well-lit areas · situational awareness · escape route · avoidance · security · anti-theft device
carjacksgives away
Transfers ownership freely
donates · gifts · returns · surrenders · hands over
carjacking, carjacker, carjack, carjackings, carjackers, carjacked