Locksmith explains why it's easy for thieves to steal high-end cars

After thieves stole high-end cars, using technology like antennas and tablets, one locksmith said Thursday the devices can be purchased by anyone, making newer car owners vulnerable to such thefts.

Anaheim Police Department officials have told NBC Los Angeles exclusively that  criminals are using tablets meant for locksmiths to target expensive vehicles. 

Other thieves are also going after cars with keyless entry key fobs by using antennas, according to officials. Since keyless entry key fobs use signals to open doors for their rightful owners, thieves are intercepting those signals for their own use.

Corey Friedman, who runs the California Institute of Locksmithing, said the tablet that criminals used in at least two thefts in Orange County is similar to what he and other locksmiths use to reprogram cars.

“I always hate to see criminal activity, but we’re kind of used to it in the industry,” Friedman said. “Technology is more in the hands of the common person, I’ll say it that way. And once you learn it, it’s not hard.”

Police said people have also been using antennas to steal cars, holding it outside a home, trying to pick up the signal from your key fob inside. Once they get that signal, they start the car and they drive off.

“The more convenient they make your car for you, the more accessible they make it for everybody to get in,” Friedman explained, saying professional locksmiths only use tablets or transponder programmers to work on a car.

Friedman explained as most states don’t have licensed locksmiths, the tablets to unlock the cars can be sold to anyone, who passes a background check, for $500.

To avoid more high-tech auto thefts, Friedman said the solution may be up to the car or truck manufacturer, making it hard for thieves to steal.

“Just like they have a DUI or breathalyzer or DUI device they put in a car, maybe do something like that, like a key pad that you have in the car. And you have to have a certain way of starting that car that’s not open to everybody,” Friedman suggested.

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Source: NBC Los Angeles