Full Notification

Did you know that car thieves steal vehicles for a few reasons? Yes, there’s the usual reason to get from point A to point B, but they are also stolen for parts (think catalytic converters), or to steal what’s inside (think tools or property), but they are also used to commit other crimes like burglaries or act as getaway cars.

SMPD has seen an increase in vehicle thefts over the last year, especially over the past several months. We’re finding the most common vehicles taken are Hyundai’s due to a flaw in the way the ignition was designed, work trucks/vans like Ford E-Series with toolboxes and racks, and a new trend is Dodge Challengers & Chargers due to design flaws and devices known as repeaters being used to imitate your key fob. To prevent this, keep your key fob as far away from your parked car as you can, especially when parked at home.

We recommend car owners use a GPS tracking device and place it somewhere in your vehicle, then link it to a smart device like your phone. Should your vehicle ever be taken, with use of the GPS device the likelihood of officers recovering the vehicle faster, recovering potential stolen property, reducing the potential for damage caused to your car, and placing bad guys behind bars increases dramatically!

GPS tracking devices are relatively inexpensive and can be purchased on-line or in-store. They range in price from about $15 to $30 and are totally worth the small investment. These days, we’re tracking our keys and our pets, so why wouldn’t we want to track our vehicles?

Besides purchasing a tracker for your car, invest in security cameras for your home. They too are relatively inexpensive but are an immensely important piece of evidence when trying to solve crime. Not to mention, they can act as a deterrent. Park in well-lit areas, garage your car if you can, don’t leave valuables inside it, and make sure to keep it locked. Together, we can work to reduce your risk of becoming a victim of auto theft.

*Side note: Vehicles like Tesla’s have Sentry Mode built in, but Tesla owners do need to enable the system. When enabled, the vehicle’s external cameras and sensors can detect a security event when parked. There are also services like OnStar and LoJack that can work with law enforcement to find your vehicle. The use of Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR’s) assist law enforcement routinely in detecting stolen vehicles. So, if your vehicle is stolen, report it to the police immediately. Should you find your own stolen vehicle, do not enter or drive it until it is released to you by law enforcement.