Police in Denver say suspects in a drive-by shooting in January may have rented several Smart Fortwos under fake names to use in connection with their crimes.
The Denver Post is reporting that in affidavits filed by detectives investigating the Jan. 4 shooting, Denver police asked the car-sharing company for GPS data from the cars when investigators learned multiple cars were rented with bogus names.
Surveillance camera footage from a nearby business showed the vehicles near the shooting at the time the crime was committed.
A company spokeswoman told the Denver Post that applicants are screened before they’re allowed to rent from Car2Go. The $35 application fee for Car2Go requires a credit card to complete, although presumably that card can be in anyone’s name.
The affidavit also claims the cars were rented through a call center, although the car sharing company maintains that the cars can only be rented online or through its app.
Drive-by shootings that reportedly use car-sharing services appear to be extremely rare so far, but may be a signal of how gangs can quickly adopt new technology. That and the story’s terrible lede.
“Police in Denver say suspects in a drive-by shooting in January may have rented several Smart Fortwos under fake names to use in connection with their crimes.”
Smart is GANGSTA yo!
The Smart’s awful driving characteristics and terrible interior sent them into a rage, and they started shooting. This is a crime caused by awful car.
I could see that.
Was this picture chosen because it had a Smart car with an urban scene or merely because it hard a Smart car. That’s clearly Seattle from the south side of downtown & sure as shit not Denver. I know that I shouldn’t complain about the quality of my free internet news but I guess I get what I pay for.
If you look, the Smart in the picture is a Car2Go car-sharing vehicle, which is the company mentioned in the article.
I am sorry we couldn’t rent a Car2Go, drive it to the outskirts of Denver, and take a nice photo for you.
That would be a good start!
P.S. Good comeback.
The ones they rent in San Diego are electric Smarts, which makes for a stealthier approach on a drive-by.
Worst getaway car ever.
If Smart sponsors the next Transporter movie, I’m boycotting.
Jason Statham stars in… TRANSPORTER FOUR. He’s back, and taking out terrorists while taking up less room!
“Oy you baddies, getta’loada’vis.”
*Understeers into lamp post.*
“Oy!”
You’ve heard of UberPOP… well, this is UberPOPaCAP.
Drive by shooting in a Smart car?
Where would they keep the guns and ammunition?
I’m honestly surprised more criminals don’t do this. You can get a membership easily, find the cars anywhere in town, drive without the same risk of police attention as if you stole a car, and ditch the cars anywhere it’s legal to park.
Plus, the last thing anyone will think if they see someone rolling by in a carshare car is, “Uh oh, there goes a badass!”. Usually I give them a wide berth on the principle that there’s a larger than usual chance that they don’t drive very often…
I still say a white 2005 to 2012 Impala is the best most anonymous car for committing crimes.
Only if it’s an ex-police car.
On second thought, all white Impalas would look like one to the untrained eye.
Seriously, there have to be about 50 of them on the road in your vicinity at any given time. That would be a nightmare APB for the cops.
I think my LaForza, with the badges removed, would be the perfect crime car. There is almost zero chance anyone would know what it was.
I’ve had it mistaken for everything from a Range Rover to an Isuzu Rodeo.
Purveyors of illegal substances in these parts do use rentals for the reasons you stated, I am just not personally aware of one involved with a drive by shooting.
Like a burner phone on wheels, less likely to get pulled over than a stolen car. That is smart.
Obviously, if they were any smarter, they’d get real jobs and wouldn’t bother with drive-byes.
I’m from the streets, man!
youtube.com/watch?v=I859Uym2sAQ
“Your Honor, How could my client aim properly with that twitchy transmission?” Judge: “Case dismissed”
The sharing economy is constantly devolving.