SPRING, Texas – Car thefts are a problem across the country and Texas is at the center of the crime spree.
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), Texas ranks second in the nation for the number of stolen vehicles.
Harris County ranks second among all U.S. counties for total vehicle thefts.
In some cases, it’s not just the number of thefts that’s alarming, but how quickly they happen.
Security camera video from a family in Spring shows a group of thieves stealing a pickup truck in just 67 seconds.
The crooks broke in, started up the truck and drove off in what looked like a professional operation.
“It’s a career criminal. That’s organized crime,” said Oliver Amade, the owner of the stolen GMC Sierra 1500, which happens to be the second most stolen vehicle in Texas, according to NICB’s latest Hot Wheels report.
Amade believed he took all the right precautions, like locking his truck, removing the keys and tinting the windows to obscure valuables inside. But none of it stopped the thieves.
“They used what looked like some kind of mechanical tool to jimmy the lock, and then it turned out to be some kind of electronic device,” Amade said. “My camera shows them coming up closer to the side of the house like they were scanning for something. And then by the time they got the door open, plugged it in and started it like they had a key.”
Criminals are increasingly using advanced technology including relay attacks, key fob cloning, and diagnostic tools, to bypass modern security systems, law enforcement and security experts say.
While law enforcement continues working to curb auto thefts, drivers are being urged to take extra steps to secure their vehicles, because the basics just aren’t enough anymore.
How to protect your vehicle
The NICB, law enforcement officials recommend several practical and effective strategies to deter thieves:
- Use visible anti-theft devices: Steering wheel locks, like “The Club,” or brake pedal locks are highly visible deterrents. Criminals often skip vehicles that show signs of being too much work.
- Park inside a garage: If possible, store your vehicle inside a locked garage. Not only does it hide the car from view, but the noise of a garage door opening can also act as a deterrent.
- Install security cameras or motion-activated lights: Some camera systems notify owners immediately if someone approaches their vehicle. Even just seeing a camera may be enough to send a thief running.
- Consider a GPS tracker or kill switch: GPS devices can help track a stolen vehicle. Kill switches prevent the vehicle from starting without disarming the system.
- Don’t rely on factory settings alone: Tech-savvy thieves know how to exploit vulnerabilities in factory security systems, especially on popular models. Always consider adding aftermarket anti-theft upgrades.
According to NICB data, pickup trucks are among the top targets for thieves in Texas. The GMC Sierra 1500, the model stolen from Amade, was second on the state’s most-stolen list, trailing only the Chevy Silverado.
Gage Goulding: “Do you think if they would have seen a club in there, do you think they would’ve stolen your truck?”
Oliver Amade: “I think they were already on a mission. They would have had a means to do it one way or another.”
That’s why law enforcement and security experts say the goal isn’t necessarily to make your vehicle impossible to steal, but to make it more difficult than the car parked next to it.
As thefts climb and technology makes stealing cars easier than ever, the message from victims and experts alike is simple: Take every precaution.
Because if it looks like too much work, crooks just might move on.
