Ninja Rocks

I recently spoke to a new police officer complaining about the increase in car prowls.  Every evening at dusk, she had been taking three to four car prowl reports that occurred in close proximity to one another, and immediately after the victims walked away from their vehicles.  Classic car prowler.  Basically, smash and grabs, extremely quick thefts.  Victims reported hearing the glass break, just as they rounded a street corner.  No suspect information with any case.  She said they had detained several people and patted them down for weapons.  No screwdrivers, hammers, etc... to break the windows out.  But they had rocks in their pockets.   

I suggested she look for "Ninja Rocks" next time she responds to a car prowl, she asked what the hell are ninja rocks.  Ninja rocks are the ceramic portion of a spark plug.  Car prowlers, break up a spark plug and have a pocket full of ceramic pieces.

The very next night, she detained a guy casing the area where all the car prowls had been occurring, and during a pat-down, felt the ninja rocks in his pocket.  So now, she identified the car prowler.  She also, telephoned previous car prowl victims and asked if there were ninja rocks on the car seats.  "Yep!" one victim stated.  Two other said they found a white ceramic rock between the vehicle door and seat/floor board. 

Now the officer is basically waiting to catch this identified guy in the process of using his ninja rocks, but I suggested she talk with the prosecutor regarding arresting subjects for RCW 9A.56.063 Making or possessing motor vehicle theft tools.  The officer said at no  point while in the police academy or during FTO, did anyone mention ninja rocks.