NJ carjackers are taking advantage of this common practice at gas stations

If you have ever used the air pump at Wawa (or any gas station) to inflate your tires, you could be vulnerable to carjacking.

This practice is very common: you need air in your tires, so you stop at a Wawa. You pull up to the air pump, hop out (usually leaving your car running and sometimes even your door open), kneel down (sometimes no longer able to see the inside of your car), and put air in your tires.

Making sure you are doing it correctly or watching the pressure gauge means you are probably distracted and not paying attention to your surroundings. And, in almost all cases, Wawa stores are rather safe places to be. What can possibly go wrong?

Doing just that makes you a prime target for those looking to steal a car.

Two people in one Camden County municipality found that out the hard way recently.

Cops in Pennsauken are investigating two recent carjackings, both at Wawa air pumps.

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On Jan. 7, a woman was at Wawa on Route 70 putting air in her tires when someone got into her car and drove away, injuring the victim. The car was later found in Camden.

About two weeks later, on Jan. 18, the Wawa on Crescent Boulevard was the scene of another carjacking.

In this case, the victim was inflating his tires when someone got out of another car, pushed the victim to the ground and drove off with the stolen car, police said. The car was later found in Camden.

Those two carjackings are among five that have happened recently in Pennsauken.

• Dec. 6: Sycamore Ridge Apartment Complex. Three victims were robbed of their vehicle, which was later recovered in Philadelphia. One of the victims sustained a gunshot wound to the leg. One person was arrested.

• Dec. 8: River Road. A tow truck driver, who was on location to pick up a vehicle, was forced at gunpoint to drive to Philadelphia. While crossing the Ben Franklin Bridge, the victim jumped from the vehicle. Two suspects were arrested.

• Dec. 25: Sycamore Ridge Apartment Complex. The victim arrived at the complex to purchase marijuana. The victim was punched in the face and robbed of $130 and his vehicle. Two people were arrested.

Protect yourself

Police remind you to never leave your vehicle running with the keys inside and don't leave it unlocked.