Police Believe Technology Behind String Of Break-Ins
Police are having difficulty investigating cars being broken into at University Park Mall in Mishawaka due to a lack of clues and no signs of forced entry.
In December, eight cars were broken into at the mall and items were stolen from them. Another three vehicles have been broken into recently with similar patterns. The vehicles being targeted are GMC SUVs made between 2003 and 2009.
Laptops and other electronics have been stolen. All victims reported locking their cars with a key fob before entering the mall. Police believe that thieves are using some sort of technology that is unknown to them that somehow interferes with remote signals from key fobs.
“Our suggestion is to manually lock your vehicle when you get out of it at the mall or wherever you are,” said Lt. Tim Williams of the Mishawaka Police Department. “That way, you know it’s locked and that signal has not been sent to it. So if they’re in the area that signal won’t be intercepted.”
No suspects have been identified due to the stealthy nature of the crime. Lt. Williams warns that it could happen in places other than the mall, as well.
“We need to stop leaving things in our cars, things of values. If you have an iPad, if you have a GPS system you put in the window, cell phones, computers, anything of value, start taking it out and not leaving it in the open where someone can see it,” said Williams. “Hopefully we can decrease the number of break-ins and thefts we’re having from vehicles in this manner.”
Source: WNDU