Police, tow companies noticing spike in thieves using tech to steal cars

The Raleigh Police Department established an Auto Theft Task
Force in June 2024 to curb this nationwide
crime trend, linking some of the thefts to an organized car theft ring.

In a Facebook post, Garner police said car break-ins are
occurring more frequently throughout the town. WRAL News reported that a
Garner man’s car was stolen from his driveway minutes after he went to
bed last week.

Caleb Braswell, owner of First Response Towing in Rocky
Mount, said it’s a trend he’s seen grow firsthand.

“I’ve had so many stolen vehicles recently,”
Braswell said. 

Braswell said the different modes of technology available to
help steal cars have helped this trend.

Thieves use high-tech tools like RFID devices, swap keys,
and re-programming of the vehicle’s electronics to steal them.

“Back in the day, if you left your car running at the
gas station, somebody might take it. But now it can be if you’re at home where
you think you’re safe, they can come take it,” he said.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau offers tips to safeguard
your car:

• Use a steering wheel or brake pedal lock
• Always lock your doors

More advanced methods include installing a vehicle
immobilizer, fuse cutoffs and kill switches, and disabling the starter or
ignition. Drivers can also invest in GPS tracking systems to recover a stolen
car. 

The Rocky Mount Police Department has invested
in technology to help curb the growing number of thefts. Including a
tool called “ResourceRouter,” which uses historical crime data to
predict crime trends, identify hot spots, and allow patrols to focus on
high-crime areas.