Thieves Using New Technology to Commit Burglary in Keyless Cars

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Theft

Keyless entry systems, and on many models, push-button ignitions have become major selling points on late-model cars. The convenience of not having to manually enter a key in the lock or the steering column is very attractive to many new car buyers. It turns out, however, that thieves also appreciate the convenience of keyless entry systems and are now exploiting them to gain access to locked vehicles—and the valuables inside.

The Search for a Mystery Device

As incident reports of damage-free vehicle break-ins began to mount throughout North America over the last several years, law enforcement officials and security experts have been hesitant to draw conclusions regarding the thieves’ exact tools. Numerous witnesses recount seeing the perpetrators remove a device from a backpack or bag and just open a car door. Some assumed that the device was a brute-force transmitter, which tried hundreds or thousands of possible radio signals and frequencies to find the one that matched that particular vehicle. The National Insurance Crime Bureau issued simply issued warnings about a "mystery device" that emulates a key.

Power Amplifiers

While some thieves around the country may, in fact, been user transmitters, emulators, other devices, Boris Danev, founder of the Swiss security company 3db Technologies, believes the most commonly used tool is a "power amplifier." Such a device is more probable, he indicated, among vehicles that unlock based on the detection of the key in close proximity rather than a pressed button.

In these vehicles, when a person tries to open the door latch, the car keyless entry system wirelessly searches for the signal being emitted by the key, presumably in the driver’s pocket. The effective range is normally just a few feet. By using a power amplifier, however, thieves have been boosting the distance over which the car’s system can "hear" the key, essentially making it possible for the car to open with the key sitting inside the driver’s house or workplace.

Theft Charges in Illinois

Despite a relative minor rash of BMW thefts, most of the cases related to the mystery devices resulted in property theft from the vehicles, and not of the vehicles themselves. While relatively less serious, the criminal consequences for property theft can still be very severe. Gaining unauthorized access to a vehicle also constitutes burglary under Illinois law.  Burglary is a class 2 felony, while theft, depending on the value of the stolen property, can be prosecuted as up to Class X felony.

If you have been charged with theft or burglary, contact an experienced Kane County criminal defense attorney today. Your future is too valuable to entrust to just anyone, so choose the team with the skill and knowledge to help you find the best course of action. We will advocate on your behalf and ensure your rights are protected throughout the process. Call 847-488-0889 today to schedule your free consultation at the The Law Office of Brian J. Mirandola.

Sources:

http://www.wsfa.com/story/30210687/theres-a-new-way-thieves-are-breaking-in-to-cars

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/16/style/keeping-your-car-safe-from-electronic-thieves.html?_r=0

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2722512/How-hi-tech-cars-without-keys-thieves-driving-seat.html

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=072000050K16-1

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?ActID=1876&ChapterID=53&SeqStart=62600000&SeqEnd=63400000