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High-Tech Thieves Use New Gadget To Gain Keyless Access To Vehicles In Long Beach
cbsla.com ^ | April 4, 2013 5:58 AM

Posted on 04/04/2013 12:57:31 PM PDT by BenLurkin

LONG BEACH (CBSLA.com) — Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying three tech-savvy criminals wanted for a series of car burglaries in which they used an unknown device to gain keyless entry to vehicles.

The men are accused of breaking into seven vehicles in an East Long Beach neighborhood on the night of Feb. 26, according to Long Beach police.

The suspects were caught on surveillance using small handled devices that caused “the vehicle’s dome light to come on and doors to unlock,” Det. Joseph Starbird said in a news release.

Police believe there could be several other victims who were also burglarized without their knowledge.

The LBPD’s Auto Theft Detail has been working with law enforcement agencies nationally and internationally, as well as vehicle manufacturers, to identify the type of technology being used.

Thus far, no agency or company has been able to identify the device.

“This is a situation where technology is working against us, making our job much more challenging at a time where resources are already strained. Just as law enforcement tactics evolve, so does the criminal element’s and we need the community’s involvement more so than ever,” stated Chief Jim McDonnell.

Police recommend residents remove valuables and extra keys from vehicles and install motion lights outside of their homes.

Anyone with information on the suspects or their identity should contact Det. Starbird at (562)570-7362. Anonymous tips may be submitted by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), texting TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or visiting http://www.lacrimestoppers.org.


TOPICS: Local News
KEYWORDS: longbeach
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1 posted on 04/04/2013 12:57:31 PM PDT by BenLurkin
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To: BenLurkin

Back when garage door openers used an 8-bit code, there was a gadget that would simply transmit the results of an 8-bit counter through a garage door opener transmitter. Eventually it would hit the right code and the door would open.

Maybe car door codes are not complicated? Or, there is a factory override code for use by repo men and it got leaked?

You can make a key for an auto lock knowing the VIN, if you are a locksmith and have the right book and info, could be something similar at work here except that the bad guy does not have to cut a key.


2 posted on 04/04/2013 1:05:22 PM PDT by DBrow
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To: BenLurkin

Totally pointless article without the years and manufacturers of the cars being opened. My guess is that it’s something simple ,, a valet that has a cloning device for electronic keys ...


3 posted on 04/04/2013 1:05:27 PM PDT by Neidermeyer (I used to be disgusted , now I try to be amused.)
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To: Neidermeyer

Or get the receive portion of an electronic lock, hide it in the bushes near your target car, and use it to record the code when the owner comes back.


4 posted on 04/04/2013 1:07:51 PM PDT by DBrow
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To: Neidermeyer

My guess is that it’s something simple ,, a valet that has a cloning device for electronic keys ...


My guess is even simpler. The thieves spot the car they want to heist in a parking lot. They stick a cell phone based tracker on the frame. Then they wait nearby with a receiver and recording device when the unsuspecting owner shows up and hits his remote key-less entry transmitter, they then get the code.

Later on that night they get the position from their cell phone and come over and drive off with their new car.


5 posted on 04/04/2013 1:13:32 PM PDT by The Working Man
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To: DBrow

I noticed the perps only stole things out of the cars, but not the cars themselves. This is a major clue!


6 posted on 04/04/2013 1:15:21 PM PDT by STD ( Intellectual marxism, a wrecking crew, dismantling civilization)
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To: STD

Here in the midwest the thieves aren’t that technically sophisticated, they just knock out a side window with a tire iron.


7 posted on 04/04/2013 1:18:37 PM PDT by nascarnation (Baraq's economic policy: trickle up poverty)
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To: BenLurkin

Rolling code is supposed to be uncrackable. Somehow their device is able to generate the same code as the vehicle, presumably, without first being synced to the vehicle’s code generator. Apparently they didn’t steal the cars themselves which suggests that the vehicle doesn’t actually detect a properly encrypted key fob so perhaps they used an electronic “bumper key” to generate a signal to the door locks and dome lights without actually going through the code?


8 posted on 04/04/2013 1:19:24 PM PDT by RC one (The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.)
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To: The Working Man; DBrow

That’s why I wanted to know the companies ,,, some companies have never released the logic to their keys and supposedly spare keys can only be created by the dealer network... Mercedes and BMW are the ones I’m thinking of. There are cloning devices available for MBZ and BMW but it requires access to the key or the car (to remove the electronic “lock ring” which has the chip and mating code)... most non-European electronic keys can be easily copied , possibly by a “sniffer” device as mentioned here to get the transmitted code.


9 posted on 04/04/2013 1:23:37 PM PDT by Neidermeyer (I used to be disgusted , now I try to be amused.)
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To: Neidermeyer

The Prius key is also complicated, and has to be synched to the computer. If you lose all your keys, you have to buy a new computer, there is no way for them to synch up a new key without a signal from an existing synched key.

BUT, I’ve always wondered if there was a way to signal the doors to open.

Of course, the police really are not “worse off” than they used to be — before electronic locks, any good thief could pick the door lock in 5 seconds with a lock bar.


10 posted on 04/04/2013 1:36:08 PM PDT by CharlesWayneCT
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To: RC one

Rolling code is good as each key has it’s own constantly changing code ... On many cars you can remove the receiver and dump it’s memory to create a key ... since they were just stealing items and not the cars you’re probably right about these cars having a less secure transmitter for door unlock ... like I said , not knowing the make of car makes this article pointless.


11 posted on 04/04/2013 1:37:45 PM PDT by Neidermeyer (I used to be disgusted , now I try to be amused.)
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To: BenLurkin

The more they overtake tha plumbing, tha easier it is to stop up the drain!!!

12 posted on 04/04/2013 1:37:47 PM PDT by GraceG
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To: BenLurkin
A handheld device that can open doors and cause the dome light to turn on? Maybe one of these:

I broke into my own car using one when I locked my keys it it. I didn't ask any questions from the guy who just happened to have one on his motorcycle he lent to me.

13 posted on 04/04/2013 1:38:34 PM PDT by KarlInOhio (Choose one: the yellow and black flag of the Tea Party or the white flag of the Republican Party.)
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To: BenLurkin

“Hi OnStar? I lost my keys and my wife is pregnant and my dog got run over and there are aliens after us, can you please unlock my car? Thanks!”


14 posted on 04/04/2013 1:42:59 PM PDT by Born to Conserve
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To: STD

most cars require a key in the ignition and a chip to turn on. this is like imitating the unlock button on a key fob. it doesn’t get the car running.


15 posted on 04/04/2013 1:43:07 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man (I can neither confirm or deny that; even if I could, I couldn't - it's classified.)
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To: STD
DOCTOR WHO!

That's how he gets a change of clothes

16 posted on 04/04/2013 1:47:02 PM PDT by muawiyah
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To: KarlInOhio
the guy who just happened to have one on his motorcycle he lent to me.

A guy you didn't even know lent his motorcycle to you?

17 posted on 04/04/2013 1:49:09 PM PDT by steve86 (Acerbic by Nature, not Nurture™)
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To: Neidermeyer

Something like this perhaps: http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/1040884/


18 posted on 04/04/2013 1:55:37 PM PDT by RC one (The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.)
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To: STD

True. I’m thinking it’s a device which employs a small surge of electrical current to trigger the locks open.


19 posted on 04/04/2013 2:00:12 PM PDT by Obama_Is_Sabotaging_America (PRISON AT BENGHAZI?????)
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To: BenLurkin

Modern life... here’s hoping they come up with a way to deter this, at least as good as the BMW and Mercedes way mentioned.


20 posted on 04/04/2013 2:07:37 PM PDT by OldNewYork (Biden '13. Impeach now.)
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