I posted this to the security camera thread . . .but adding it here

[gardenmom5]

I live in a good neighborhood where people are either tearing down and rebuilding or doing major remodels on big lots.  Dead end street that because you have to go uphill before going downhill -- most people on the arterial drive right past without even noticing it.

I aimed rotational cameras at the street/points of access. (I plan to add more, and I've had a front doorbell cam for a year waiting to be installed . . . . I'm getting two more - one will have to be wireless).

A neighbor came and asked us if we had cameras, and if they had picked up anything. Jackpot - I had a clear view of his car and the car thieves.  Four  minutes from their arrival until both cars were gone. IN BROAD DAYLIGHT, on a Sunday evening, two hours before sunset.  (the neighbor was even outside in his yard, heard his car start, but didn't go far enough to verify his car was still there.)  I've got the video downloaded, will be sharing it with the neighbor so he can give it to the police.  They arrived at 7:11, and by 7:16 they were gone. (I dont' know why my camera didn't pick them up driving up the hill - could have been facing a different direction so it wasn't triggered.)
 
I did pick up the police leaving - and aiming a spotlight at our house (they were looking for cameras) at 12:18 am this morning.  But when they came to take their report, no one had any idea what time the car was stolen.

[wintermom]

That was lucky you have the theft on camera. I hope your neighbour gets his cars back. Does he have an eletronic tag on them? We have loads of SUV thefts in my city and Toronto. They drive them to Montreal and they sail away in containers. If you live near Montreal, the cars may well funnel through that port - though crossing the US-Canada border is probably an issue. 

[gardenmom5]

31 minutes ago, wintermom said:

That was lucky you have the theft on camera. I hope your neighbour gets his cars back. Does he have an eletronic tag on them? We have loads of SUV thefts in my city and Toronto. They drive them to Montreal and they sail away in containers. If you live near Montreal, the cars may well funnel through that port - though crossing the US-Canada border is probably an issue. 

I'm in the PNW in the US. We have our own well known eastern european gangs.

I recently had a long established clock guy out for my grandfather clock.  40 years ago when his dad was running the shop, they had a couple guys come in and wanted a $9500 clock.  They had a stack of (stolen) CCs they ran through to pay for it. (they'd go through the cards until they came to one that the charge would go through.)  His dad delayed them, said - go eat lunch while I pack this up. (GF clocks need to be carefully packed to move them.) Then he called the cops because he wasn't allowing that clock to leave the premises.  They didn't care - until he said he had a hand gun and that clock wasn't leaving.  Then four squad cars showed up waiting for the two guys to return. (wouldn't it be better if you *parked out of sight*?????)  Part of an eastern european gang (even 40 years ago) who would buy everything with stolen credit cards and the merchant would be left on the hook.   They were arrested - but there were more where they came from.

It depends upon the type of car.  some are put in a container, some are chopped up for parts.  I dont' these were kids looking for a joyride.

[regentrude]

Now I'm curious: with the modern safety features, how does one steal a car this quickly??? 

[Tenaj]

28 minutes ago, regentrude said:

Now I'm curious: with the modern safety features, how does one steal a car this quickly??? 

There are certain brands that are more easily stolen - I know Kia is one.  My 22 today had his Kia taken from his apartment complex last summer.  He didn't know it was gone until a day later when the police found it abandoned on the other side of town (he had day off and hadn't gone any where).  

[regentrude]

19 minutes ago, Tenaj said:

There are certain brands that are more easily stolen - I know Kia is one.  My 22 today had his Kia taken from his apartment complex last summer.  He didn't know it was gone until a day later when the police found it abandoned on the other side of town (he had day off and hadn't gone any where).  

Yes, I know about the Kias. But anything else, you can't simply hotwire anymore, right?

Edited June 25 by regentrude

[Laura Corin]

2 minutes ago, regentrude said:

Yes, I know about the Kias. But anything else, you can't simply hotwire anymore, right?

Copying electronic keys stored near the front of a house. https://www.locksmiths.co.uk/faq/keyless-car-theft/

[regentrude]

8 minutes ago, Laura Corin said:

Copying electronic keys stored near the front of a house. https://www.locksmiths.co.uk/faq/keyless-car-theft/

Interesting.  Thanks for sharing. 

[Bambam]

We ordered Faraday bags for our new Honda keys, because they keep transmitting and it is easy to copy the signal and make a new key and steal the car. It seems like a reasonable and inexpensive protection method. 

[gardenmom5]

1 hour ago, Tenaj said:

There are certain brands that are more easily stolen - I know Kia is one.  My 22 today had his Kia taken from his apartment complex last summer.  He didn't know it was gone until a day later when the police found it abandoned on the other side of town (he had day off and hadn't gone any where).  

I think he said it was assumed the kia the were driving was stolen.

I don't even remember what kind of car it was.   There are several guys who live there, and at least one of them drives for lyft/uber/a-limo-service.  The cars rotate.