Car thieves using digital apps to steal topline vehicles in Melbourne
Thieves can now steal your car without needing the keys thanks to a new smartphone app that can be easily downloaded.
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Thieves looking for topline Holden Commodores and other cars are using digital apps and tablets bought online to carry out key-free heists using smartphones.
The Herald Sun has been told a succession of thefts in recent weeks is suspected of being linked to the key programming technology, which can be bought off the internet for under $1000.
Holden Commodores have been stolen from Melbourne dealerships in up to three separate rip-offs, prompting a warning from the state’s trader organisation.
The theft of three cars in Ballarat, including a Nissan Navara, in recent times is suspected of being the work of thieves using key programming systems.
One of the vehicles was stolen from a home.
Its owner found the technology had been used after investigating when noting the vehicle’s keys were still inside the home after it went missing.
The key programmers connect with a car’s in-built computer via a smart phone then take control of its locking system and ignition.
The Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce wrote to members last week warning about the use of the key programming systems.
“It would seem that the vehicles of choice right now seem to be high end/value/performance Holden Commodores,” the VACC notice said.
“This is an issue that is difficult to prevent, but dealers should remain vigilant to how high value stock is secured within their yards or showrooms.”
Industry sources believe there would have been other thefts carried out using the technology.
Victorian car theft trends have altered enormously in recent decades.
Hot-wiring, the technique of bypassing a car’s ignition system, was for many years the favoured way of organised vehicle thieves.
But security technology overtook that method and in the past decade an increasing percentage of cars are being stolen using keys, often snatched during late-night aggravated burglaries in the suburbs.
Key programmers, which are in widespread legitimate use in the automotive industry, are among hi-tech systems now being put to use by theft rings.
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