Both LAPD and Los Angeles County Sheriffs have made efforts to crack down on street takeovers. Task Forces interrupt takeovers before they even start, and have made arrests and impounded vehicles that participate in the shenanigans. An unexpected ripple effect of these takeovers is that thieves are stealing vehicles so they can use them in takeovers, specifically the Chevy Camaro.
The LA Times reports that so many Camaros are being stolen for takeover use that Camaro thefts are up over 1000 percent so far this year. We’re just three months into the year, and 90 Camaros have already been stolen across the city, versus just seven Camaros stolen in all of 2023. That’s a drastic jump in thefts in a short amount of time. From January to February, one of the LAPD’s South LA stations saw local Camaro thefts jump from just two to 10.
Making the situation worse is that authorities believe a device is being used to clone ignition keys to steal the cars; a 16-year-old suspect was arrested with a similar device recently, as The Times explained.
The device is essentially a hand-held computer that enables the user to create a replacement smart key — using a new key fob — that can unlock Camaros and other vehicles, bypassing the vehicle’s existing security system, investigators said. Once the user punches in the make, model and year of the vehicle into the computer, it is then able to reprogram the car’s ignition system and generate a new or universal car key.
Authorities say after using the Camaros in street takeovers, the teenager would then take to social media and sell the cars “for $2,000 or $3,000.”
The department didn’t say what device was being used to steal the cars, but other local departments have seen them being used in thefts as well. Until something is done to stop these thefts, authorities are outlining steps owners can take to prevent their cars from being stolen. They say owners can do things like use fuel cut-off systems and steering wheel locks, and look into aftermarket devices that can stop key fob transmitter signals.