Over the last few months, Chevy Camaro theft has surged more than 1,000 percent in the city of Los Angeles, with 90 vehicles reported stolen in the early months of 2024. The surge in theft coincides with an increase in the vehicles appearing at illegal street takeovers. Police state that thieves are bypassing security systems using cloned ignition keys, and that teenagers are reportedly among those perpetrating the crimes.
According to a report from the Los Angeles Times, thieves are using a hand-held computer that enables the creation of a replacement key fob to unlock a target vehicle. The process apparently uses commercially available equipment and requires minimal technical know-how, with a new key generated in less than three minutes. The report cites LAPD investigators who state that a 16 year-old suspect created cloned ignition keys to steal several vehicles, which were then sold on social media for $2,000 to $3,000.
It’s said that the thieves target high-powered, rear-wheel-drive vehicles like the Chevy Camaro, and that the vehicles often end up at street takeovers. Also known as side shows, street takeovers are illegal events wherein people and vehicles congregate to block off a public intersection to perform burnouts and donuts. Videos of street takeovers show participants dodging vehicles as they slide by dense crowds, and it’s not uncommon for onlookers to be hit and vehicles to be smashed. One recent video showed one Chevy Camaro go up in flames after someone in the crowd doused it with gasoline.
The LAPD is advising owners to adopt additional security measures to ensure their vehicle isn’t stolen, such as the implementation of a fuel cut-off system and a steering wheel lock. Police also urge that owners park their vehicle in a secure area.
The report states that muscle cars are now the target of theft rings across the nation, with dealers in Michigan reporting key fob cloning incidents in 2022.
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