Law enforcement is warning people who use Grindr and other dating apps to be careful as two people were carjacked in separate incidents in the Inland Empire this month.
On May 15, a guy in Adelanto had his car stolen along with his wallet, reports ABC 7. Another similar, but unrelated incident happened a week later in Victorville.
“The suspect would lead the victim to believe there was something wrong with their vehicle,” Pamela Hoffman, spokesperson for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department told the TV channel. “So they would pull over and get out to check their vehicle, then their vehicle would be taken.”
The Sheriff’s department noted that in both instances the men met their dates on Grindr and in each case the carjacking happened at the end of the date.
Each suspect was later arrested and the men did get their cars back.
Grindr issued the following statement:
“Grindr takes our user’s safety extremely seriously. … We educate users on best practices around safety. It’s important to have fun, but be smart and do it safely.”
The suspects in both carjackings have been arrested and the property was returned to the victims, officials said.
Law enforcement recommends meeting new people in crowded areas and to never travel alone in your car with people that you do not know.
