# Solve a Mystery: why is a suspicious vehicle following this pattern? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 25, 2013, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solve-a-mystery-why-is-a-suspicious-vehicle-following-this-pattern/672190 "2013-10-25T06:13:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2013, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solve-a-mystery-why-is-a-suspicious-vehicle-following-this-pattern/672190/21 "2013-10-25T15:55:38Z")
That is kinda mean to whores. ---
**Author:** ![andrea\_green](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecccb3/32.png) [@andrea\_green](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andrea_green)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2013, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solve-a-mystery-why-is-a-suspicious-vehicle-following-this-pattern/672190/22 "2013-10-25T16:59:50Z")
**Minor Update:** There do not appear to be any unsecured wifi networks within range. But as we all know, it could be that some networks here are using outdated security. I wouldn’t have thought about the war-driving angle, it’s a very interesting possibility. Does anyone know what Mac app I could use to determine what encryption protocol (like WPA 2 etc) my neighbours are are using on their networks? I suppose I could also setup a honeypot fake network next thursday as an experiment or even pickup a pineapple ([WiFi Pineapple - Hak5](http://hakshop.myshopify.com/products/wifi-pineapple)) ---
**Author:** ![knel3030](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecae2f/32.png) [@knel3030](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/knel3030)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2013, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solve-a-mystery-why-is-a-suspicious-vehicle-following-this-pattern/672190/23 "2013-10-25T18:07:54Z")
I’m not sure why a wardriver would be on such a systematic schedule though. Or a PI, or some casing a house, or anything like that. I’d guess its someone whose route is along that area on Thursday nights and for whatever reason needs some idle time between going to another job, or is taking a break, or whatever, but why they’d always idle in the same spot is a good question. I’m not familiar with idler psychology, but perhaps habit rules them. The more I think about this, the more curious I am about this mysterious idler. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2013, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solve-a-mystery-why-is-a-suspicious-vehicle-following-this-pattern/672190/24 "2013-10-25T19:26:59Z")
Private investigator hired to stake out someone’s house down the street, and that is the\* time that’s important to be watching? - The only time you’ve **noticed** , at least… ---
**Author:** ![yoyodyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a9a28c/32.png) [@yoyodyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yoyodyne)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2013, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solve-a-mystery-why-is-a-suspicious-vehicle-following-this-pattern/672190/25 "2013-10-25T19:30:33Z")
> [@andrea\_green](#): > > Does anyone know what Mac app I could use to determine what encryption protocol (like WPA 2 etc) my neighbours are are using on their networks? > **[MetaGeek | Visualize your Wi-Fi](https://www.metageek.com/)** > > Wi-Fi is awesome, but when something goes wrong with Wi-Fi it’s a mystery to fix — and your users and clients are counting on you to fix the problem. MetaGeek is dedicated to our ongoing mission of making Wi-Fi awesome for everyone. ---
**Author:** ![Marion\_Wormer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d07c76/32.png) [@Marion\_Wormer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marion_Wormer)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2013, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solve-a-mystery-why-is-a-suspicious-vehicle-following-this-pattern/672190/26 "2013-10-25T19:59:33Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > Private investigator hired to stake out someone’s house down the street, and that is the\* time that’s important to be watching? > > - The only time you’ve **noticed** , at least… I agree with the PI mentioned by a couple of people. Imaging Person A is out or gone on Thursday nights and suspects Partner B of seeing someone, or going out coming back before they get back. If you’re in an affluent area, and are actually affluent, you can hire a PI to check the driver out. If they greet each other as old buds…well there’s your answer. However, the fact that the driver parks in the same place and has been made by the cops, makes this unlikely. A professional would be more circumspect. It can be something benign too. About 10 years ago I remember a man being arrested for sitting in a car everyday at a park. It turned out he was eating his dinner and reading his book. The fact that it’s different cars rather than one car repeatedly makes this unlikely. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2013, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solve-a-mystery-why-is-a-suspicious-vehicle-following-this-pattern/672190/27 "2013-10-25T20:49:43Z")
Is the op’s real last name Cravitz by chance? ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2013, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solve-a-mystery-why-is-a-suspicious-vehicle-following-this-pattern/672190/28 "2013-10-25T21:12:04Z")
It could be a sting operation with the driver being an undercover cop waiting to “bust” people who show up under the right (i.e. wrong) circumstances. Maybe the RCMP or OPP are running a sting where they post ads for illegal stuff on Craigslist and ask potential buyers to bring the money to the guy parked outside \ and give a code word. Since you don’t know the code word, they aren’t bothering you. ---
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2013, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solve-a-mystery-why-is-a-suspicious-vehicle-following-this-pattern/672190/29 "2013-10-25T21:33:04Z")
I get cars parked out front all the time. Seems we’re on the edge of cell service. Drive down the hill and there’s no service. I have spoken to many people out there, and it seems to be a genuine excuse. Still, I shoot them, just in case… ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2013, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solve-a-mystery-why-is-a-suspicious-vehicle-following-this-pattern/672190/30 "2013-10-25T21:54:01Z")
> [@Brains on the Half Shell](#): > > News paper carrier > > either folding and bagging papers or taking a nap No, they honk repeatedly when they go through a neighborhood that quiet. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2013, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solve-a-mystery-why-is-a-suspicious-vehicle-following-this-pattern/672190/31 "2013-10-25T22:22:47Z")
> [@ducati](#): > > Still, I shoot them, just in case… A sound plan. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2013, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solve-a-mystery-why-is-a-suspicious-vehicle-following-this-pattern/672190/32 "2013-10-25T22:28:14Z")
> [@Marion\_Wormer](#): > > It can be something benign too. About 10 years ago I remember a man being arrested for sitting in a car everyday at a park. It turned out he was eating his dinner and reading his book. The fact that it’s different cars rather than one car repeatedly makes this unlikely. Why was he arrested? ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2013, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solve-a-mystery-why-is-a-suspicious-vehicle-following-this-pattern/672190/33 "2013-10-25T22:39:26Z")
> [@andrea\_green](#): > > So first a bit of background: I am currently living with my parents in the home they’ve resided in for 30+ years. The home is located in an affluent residential neighbourhood of Toronto. The residents of the street are mostly doctors, lawyers, judges etc. Highlighting by me. **It’s Cops.** One of the judges is getting threats, so undercover cops are pulling security duty. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2013, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solve-a-mystery-why-is-a-suspicious-vehicle-following-this-pattern/672190/34 "2013-10-25T22:42:24Z")
My first thought was a teenage Casanova waiting for his girl to sneak out a back window after mom and dad hit the hay. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2013, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solve-a-mystery-why-is-a-suspicious-vehicle-following-this-pattern/672190/35 "2013-10-26T01:08:59Z")
Someone getting their car repossessed? We had a neighbor that was, and one of the drivers asked permission to park in our upper driveway to watch the house [lights to go out so they could sneak up and get the car] ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2013, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solve-a-mystery-why-is-a-suspicious-vehicle-following-this-pattern/672190/36 "2013-10-26T01:51:58Z")
Possibly someone (parent or spouse) waiting to pick up a relative who works as a babysitter or caregiver or housekeeper in your neighborhood. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2013, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solve-a-mystery-why-is-a-suspicious-vehicle-following-this-pattern/672190/37 "2013-10-26T02:24:51Z")
I still think it is a guy waiting for someone’s Husband to leave for his night job. ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2013, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solve-a-mystery-why-is-a-suspicious-vehicle-following-this-pattern/672190/38 "2013-10-26T03:20:40Z")
> [@andrea\_green](#): > > No homes for sale in the immediate vicinity (on this street). Also midnight or 1AM seem to me to be a bit late for that sort of activity. Still an interesting theory, thanks! Yeah, you’d think it’s an odd time to do that, but late night 11, 12, 1 WAS when I did some of my “neighborhood check” stakeouts before I bought my condo, it saved me from a few crappy choices. IME, that’s when loud music or commotion seems to occur in some areas. This was suggested to me by a few realtors, that is, do a few “noise and nuisance” checks of your potential neighborhood, at different hours of the day. I didn’t do that at the first home I bought, and discovered, much to my irritation (and sleeplessness) that in the “po’ people neighborhoods” the snow plows and street cleaners come at 3AM! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2013, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solve-a-mystery-why-is-a-suspicious-vehicle-following-this-pattern/672190/39 "2013-10-26T04:06:08Z")
> [@Accidental\_Martyr](#): > > Why was he arrested? I too would like to know why he was arrested. ---
**Author:** ![Bam\_Boo\_Gut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8c91f0/32.png) [@Bam\_Boo\_Gut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bam_Boo_Gut)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2013, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solve-a-mystery-why-is-a-suspicious-vehicle-following-this-pattern/672190/40 "2013-10-26T13:29:45Z")
[quote=“even\_sven, post:13, topic:672190”] Almost certainly someone who has an knowing enragement QUOTE] It’s this. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solve-a-mystery-why-is-a-suspicious-vehicle-following-this-pattern/672190.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solve-a-mystery-why-is-a-suspicious-vehicle-following-this-pattern/672190.md?page=3)