THE EDITOR, Sir:
AS A would-be victim of a car stealing attempt, I am compelled to inform the public about the new technique that criminals are now using to steal cars. Not only do criminals have the traditional carjacking or breaking of window approach to accessing vehicles but they also now have a sophisticated approach. According to a mechanic/body repairman, car thieves are now removing the barrel (keyhole) from the car.
This expert approach to car stealing is usually done to an area of the car that the owner is unlikely to immediately notice. These areas include the trunk and the front left passenger door. If a driver is not accustomed to carrying passengers in the front passenger seat, or even going into the trunk on a regular basis, he or she may never notice that the barrel is missing. And if the thief acts quickly, the car may be gone without the owner ever realising that the thief had made his job easier on a previous occasion by the removal of the barrel.
Cars being targeted for such operations are white Honda Civics and white Toyota Corollas. With the barrel of the car in his possession, the thief then takes this to a locksmith who then uses it to make a key for the car. Armed with a key and being aware that the owner may not have realised that the car was tampered with, the car thief will be in no hurry to steal the car as this can be done at a time and place that is most convenient to him. All the thief has to do is to watch you, see where you park, observe the time that you leave and when you least expect it, they use their key and take the car.
THE PREFERRED APPROACH
Since taking out the barrel of trunks and door locks to make keys is the preferred approach of car thieves, questions will have to be asked of locksmiths all across the island: What role are they playing in these operations? Do they make keys from barrels of car trunks and doors? Do they have the names and addresses of persons who contracted their services for such an operation? What reasons do customers give for using barrels from car doors and trunks to get a replacement keys rather than using a spare key? Will locksmiths provide the necessary information to the Police during investigations? The Police should pay serious attention to all locksmiths as a way of breaking up this car stealing operation.
This is not intended to label all locksmiths as criminals or accessories to criminal activities, but for an examination to take place to see what role, if any, they are playing and what information they can forward to the Police as part of an investigative approach to solving the problem. I am suggesting that the Police not only point their investigative radar on individuals who operate garages, taxi services or buy and sell cars, but also visit the business places of locksmiths and examine their operations.
If suspects are caught with keys and the owners of the stolen cars are in possession of their original keys, the alleged car thief should then have to explain how he was able to obtain replacement keys.
My message to owners, particularly, white Honda Civics and White Toyota Corollas is this:
(1). Always check your trunk door and the front doors to ensure the barrel is not taken out;
(2). If the barrel is taken out, inform the Police immediately;
(3). Change your keys and barrel immediately. This includes the door locks, trunk locks and ignition. Please note: it is not prudent to change the door locks without changing the ignition key. While the keys are changed, continue or start using other anti-theft devices (e.g. wheel locks and alarms);
(4).Inform your neighbours - they may be aware of suspicious activities;
(5).If you are unable to afford other anti-theft devices at the time you noticed that the barrel was taken out, remove your car from the location where it is most noticeable until anti-theft devices are in place.
I am, etc.,
ALMOST A VICTIM
Kingston
