Police in L.A. used a sting involving a Chevy Camaro to help understand why thefts of the vehicle are surging on the West Coast.
The rise in thefts - with Camaro thefts up more than 1000% this year - coincides with the vehicles' frequent appearances at street takeovers, where their high power is often showcased.
What police found was that an electronic device was being used by a teen that allowed them to to input a car's details and reprogram its ignition system, allowing them to steal the vehicle.
The confiscated device, a sophisticated hand-held computer, is designed to bypass car security systems by creating a replacement smart key, according to Yahoo/LA Times.
A 16-year-old suspect is believed to have used such a device to steal Camaros, later selling them for a fraction of their value at street events, as per LAPD's Newton Division Capt. Keith Green.
The Yahoo/LA Times article noted that this division has witnessed a significant jump in Camaro thefts, from 2 to 10 in just the first two months of the year, reflecting a citywide spike from 7 to 90.
The ease of cloning key fobs with commercially available technology has turned even teenagers into proficient car thieves. The demand for stolen vehicles in street racing and "burnouts" contributes to the targeting of muscle cars due to their inevitable wear and tear from such activities.
Although the LAPD has not detailed the exact method used in the recent case, the practice of creating duplicate electronic key fobs through direct connection or wireless systems has been documented elsewhere.
To combat such thefts, the LAPD recommends additional security measures, including fuel cut-offs, steering wheel locks, and secure vehicle storage. Preventative tactics against key fob signal transmission, such as security cases or even wrapping fobs in aluminum foil, are advised.
The phenomenon of American muscle car thefts, exacerbated by key fob cloning, is not unique to L.A.; it has been observed nationwide, including a series of thefts at Michigan dealerships in 2022.
Maybe next liberal city DA's will simply recommend that nobody drive a car anymore. After all, it's your fault for having such an easy-to-steal vehicle in the first place...
