Thieves use Google app to strategize car theft

<p>Luxury car thieves are using Google Earth to strategize and locate cars that still have key fobs inside, experts say.&nbsp;</p>

News 12 Staff

Aug 11, 2017, 9:36 PM

Updated 2,583 days ago

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Luxury car thieves are using Google Earth to strategize and locate cars that still have key fobs inside, experts say.
News 12 has learned that not only can thieves use Google Earth to view images of the wealthiest neighborhoods and the homes and vehicles within it, they can now pinpoint which cars likely have key fobs inside.
Sparta Police Lt. John Lamon says thieves have taken three luxury vehicles from local driveways in less than a month. He says the mirrors of certain cars, like Range Rovers, will close inward if the key fob is no longer in the vehicle. If the key fob is inside the vehicle, the mirrors will remain deployed.
In other words, thieves are able to use satellite imaging with the Google Earth app to zoom in far enough to determine whether a vehicle is likely to have a key fob inside, making for a much more opportunistic crime.
Lamon advises car owners to always lock their cars and take their key fobs with them to prevent such a high-tech crime.