Moment BMW is swiped from driveway in just 5 SECONDS by thieves who ‘trick’ car into thinking keys are nearby
THIS is the moment brazen thieves stole a BMW from a driveway in just five seconds.
The crooks “tricked” the luxury vehicle into unlocking in Barnsley, Yorkshire.
Footage captured on a Ring doorbell on November 7 showed one of the thieves walking up to the house and tampering with the electronic keys while still outside.
His partner quickly hopped into the car and reversed out of the drive.
The thief, dressed in a tracksuit and hoodie, then casually walked to the car and clambered in.
The men were able to steal the car using relay equipment, which unlocks the car and starts the ignition, according to Car Crime UK,
Thieves only need to be within a few metres of the car keys to capture the signal – even if the keys are inside a house.
The video was shared on Car Crime UK’s Instagram page where one person commented: “Thieves destroying decent peoples’ lives.”
This comes after two thugs stole a car from outside a home in Birmingham.
One thief stood near the house holding a wire with both hands above his head.
The wire was plugged into a device which the thief had slotted into the front of his body.
His accomplice stood poised by the car – ready to jump in if it pinged open.
But the Hyundai Tucson’s owner Debbie Sofroniou had her car keys safely stowed in a Faraday pouch.
This stopped the relay device from amplifying the signal between the keys and the car.
Debbie said the thieves tried to steal three cars in one hour along the street – successfully making off with one.
She told the Birmingham Mail: “A gentleman came this morning and he’s got footage of them attempting to get into his car.
“He said he didn’t sleep at all for the rest of the night. They seem to be trying it all around this area.”
How to protect your car against 'keyless theft'
HERE are some ways to protect your vehicle from relay theft:
- Keep your keys out of sight and away from your front door and letterbox. You can store them in a signal-blocking pouch, like a Faraday bag.
- A steering wheel lock or wheel clamp can act as a physical barrier, making it harder for thieves to drive away.
- Consider installing a tracking device. The tracker can send an alert if your car is broken into and it can also help police find the car if it’s stolen.
- A doorbell camera or security camera can deter criminals and provide evidence if a crime occurs.
- Park your car in well-lit areas and avoid leaving it in isolated spots, especially at night. If you don’t have a garage, park your car close to home.
- Check for software updates. Many cars have over-the-air updates that include new security measures.
- Check your car is locked. Always manually check that your car is locked before walking away.
Source: West Midlands Police
Debbie added: “They tried all the ones they could in the space of an hour.”
The footage shows an attempt at keyless theft, when crooks use a “relay box” to trick a car into thinking the key is nearby.
To guard against keyless theft, drivers should use a Thatcham-approved steering lock to cover the whole wheel.
Speak to your dealer to make sure your car has all the latest software updates and security tech.