Police have managed to seize gadgets which are being used to steal cars within SECONDS.
New images released by West Midlands Police show what are believed to be the first ‘relay’ devices in the country to be recovered from a criminal, reports the Birmingham Mail.
The force has released images showing similar equipment seized following a city centre pursuit in Birmingham last month, although there is no evidence linking the recovery directly to a Solihull theft.
The chance find happened after PC Mitch Darby became suspicious of a Peugeot being driven on Landor Street in Birmingham city centre at around 4.15am on 2 November.
PC Darby tried to pull it over, but gave chase when the car, being driven by Martynas Auga, accelerated away.
It was only when Auga, 32, began driving the wrong way down a one-way street towards four lanes of oncoming traffic at Moor Street Queensway, that officers stopped the pursuit due to the risk to the public.
Just 20 seconds later, the car was found abandoned on the wrong side of the road at the junction of Albert Street.
It was on false plates, but police found the relay equipment in a rucksack in the car, along with two sets of number plates, two mobile phones and a bag of tools.
Auga, of no fixed address, left his Lithuanian driving licence and ID in the car and handed himself in to Digbeth police station a few days later.
When officers later tested the devices, they were able to drive away cars without the use of keys.
Auga declined to answer police questions about whether he was involved in the keyless theft of cars.
PC Darby said: “This is certainly the first relay device recovered in the Midlands and I’m not aware of any others recovered nationally.
“The recovery of this equipment should prevent further thefts of cars taking place and goes to show that we are on top of car thieves and will stay one step ahead of them as they adapt to new technology.”
Mark Silvester, from the West Midlands Police crime reduction team, advised motorists looking to protect against this type of theft to use an additional tested and Thatcham-approved steering lock to cover the entire wheel.
He added: “We also recommend Thatcham-approved tracking solutions fitted to the vehicle.
“It is always worth speaking to your main dealer, to ensure that your car has had all the latest software updates and talk through security concerns with them.”
On Monday, December 11 Auga was jailed for 18 months after admitting going equipped to steal, dangerous driving, driving without a licence and failing to stop.
He was also banned from driving for 18 months.
West Midlands Police are hunting the car thieves after the vehicle was nicked in just under 50 seconds in September.
CCTV shows how the shameless hackers bypassed the vehicle’s security by simply waving a box in front of the owner’s Solihull home.
It is believed to be the first time a ‘relay crime’ has been caught on camera.
How does ‘relay’ car cime work?
The footage, released by West Midlands Police, shows two men – both carrying relay box devices – pulling up outside the victim’s home in Elmdon.
In the CCTV, one of the men can be seen waving a box in front of the property.
The device receives a signal from the key inside and transmits it to the second box next to the car.
The car’s security system is tricked into thinking the key is present and the vehicle unlocks, with the pair then driving away.
The Mercedes still has not been recovered following the theft, which happened overnight on September 24.
The technique works as one of the thieves stands near a house with a device to pick up the signal of the car key – relaying it to an accomplice holding another transmitter near the vehicle.
Are there any tips and tricks?
Yes.
Store your key in a container lined with metal to stop thieves being able to pick up the signal.
Keep them well away from the front of the house, as if they are by the front door for example it will very easy for the gadget to pick them up.
Turn off the radio signal on the key if possible.
With Mercedes cars, you do this by clicking it twice.
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