A Montrealer warns luxury car owners against thieves who now have the nerve to hack their smart keys in broad daylight, all thanks to gimmicks bought online for a pittance.
“It really worried me when I saw the pictures. We’re talking about someone coming into your home, into your privacy. […] Don’t be afraid to do that! We can also see that the guy in the pictures is very relaxed,” says Justin Addison.
This resident of the Tétreaultville neighborhood of Montreal was unexpectedly visited by a burglar on Tuesday morning. Videos from his apartment building showed the thief using a signal sensor to prepare to steal his Audi-branded car. The sequence broadcast on social networks drew a lot of ink.
Photo courtesy of Justin Addison
Justin Addison’s thief came to hack his key this week
In a few seconds
“At first I wasn’t sure what he was doing. Looks like he was walking around with a walkie-talkie. But people started texting me on Facebook. That’s when I realized he was trying to clone my smart key from my car,” Addison said.
Photo courtesy of Justin Addison
Justin Addison poses here with his car’s smart key
In this barely 10-second sequence, a man approaches the Montrealer’s entrance and waves a simple sensor in the air.
“He gets the code from the smart key that’s in the house. Then they transmit the code on a blank key available to them. After that, the thief can come back in the evening to steal the car. It’s simple and straightforward,” explains Freddy Marcantonio, Vice President of Repérage Tag.
No priority
Justin Addison says he remains on alert and awaits thieves’ return. “We have to change the key code at our Audi dealer, it still costs over $100,” he sighs.
Photo courtesy of Justin Addison
He has since submitted an application to the Service de Police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM).
“The neighborhood police told us that they had no specialists and could not help us. We asked someone at the SPVM for help. We were told our file was not a priority,” laments Mr. Addison.
However, when contacted on the matter, the SPVM claims that it “takes car theft seriously” and “does not comment on the ongoing investigation so as not to disrupt its progress.”
Photo courtesy of Justin Addison
Just under $80
For specialist Freddy Marcantonio, the most worrying thing about this case is that the gadgets bought to steal luxury cars cost next to nothing.
“In Quebec, car thieves are professionals. Gone are the days of using a hammer and screwdriver to steal a vehicle. […] It used to cost thousands of dollars for a sensor or amplifier to steal a smart key. Now it’s barely $80 online,” notes Mr. Marcantonio.
The Journal actually found the thief’s signal sensor on Justin Addison in Tétreaultville. The device was sold over the counter for $140 on a very popular Chinese website.
How do you protect your car?
- Buy a box that blocks the signal emitted by the key
- Install an anti-theft device on the steering wheel
- Equip your vehicle with an immobilizer
- Carve the windows as well as the most important parts of your vehicle.
- Install a tracking system on your car to locate it in case of theft.
Source: City of Montreal Police Department