The Raleigh Police Department established an Auto Theft Task Force in June 2024 to curb this nationwide crime trend, linking some of the thefts to an organized car theft ring.
In a Facebook post, Garner police said car break-ins are occurring more frequently throughout the town. WRAL News reported that a Garner man’s car was stolen from his driveway minutes after he went to bed last week.
Caleb Braswell, owner of First Response Towing in Rocky Mount, said it’s a trend he’s seen grow firsthand.
“I’ve had so many stolen vehicles recently,” Braswell said.
Braswell said the different modes of technology available to help steal cars have helped this trend.
Thieves use high-tech tools like RFID devices, swap keys, and re-programming of the vehicle’s electronics to steal them.
“Back in the day, if you left your car running at the gas station, somebody might take it. But now it can be if you’re at home where you think you’re safe, they can come take it,” he said.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau offers tips to safeguard your car:
More advanced methods include installing a vehicle immobilizer, fuse cutoffs and kill switches, and disabling the starter or ignition. Drivers can also invest in GPS tracking systems to recover a stolen car.
The Rocky Mount Police Department has invested in technology to help curb the growing number of thefts. Including a tool called “ResourceRouter,” which uses historical crime data to predict crime trends, identify hot spots, and allow patrols to focus on high-crime areas.
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