subject: New Home Burglary Method Starts in Your Car [print this page] New Home Burglary Method Starts in Your Car
As the economy continues to flounder, the frequency of car thefts in the U.S. is increasing. In fact, the FBI has reported that a motor vehicle is stolen in the United States every 40 seconds. It is no surprise then that car thieves have come up with some new inventive strategies to break into cars without getting caught. But burglars aren't just stopping there. Instead of just taking the valuables from your car, they are using the information they can get from your belongings as a way gain access to your home.
Through this new strategy, a car thief will puncture a small hole beneath a car's door handle, reach in and unlock the door just as if they had a key. By punching the tiny hole, the thieves are able to get into a car quietly and without a trace without breaking glass or without setting off the car's alarm. If and when the car's owner notices the puncture hole, they often think it is a bullet hole because of the size and shape. Plus, most car thieves who use this new method are extremely cunning in terms of what they will take once they are actually inside your car.
Several cases have been reported in which car thieves using the punch hole method would leave the person's purse or GPS devices- items which are typically targeted- and use the GPS device to find out where the person's home is using the stored information on the device. In doing so, the thieves now know what a person's car looks like and where they live, making it easy for them to observe when a person is home or not. Then, the burglar can easily plan how to invade your home when they see your car is not there.
With more intruders using deceitful methods like this everyday, it is important to always be on guard. Regularly check the condition of your car, especially after parking in large public places likes shopping mall. Be mindful of what you leave in your car, especially GPS devices and other technology that a burglar could potentially use to get your personal information. In addition, never leave GPS devices out in open view while you are away from your car. It only takes a thief a few seconds to steal these devices and find out where you live and where you are going. If you notice damage to your car and/or any missing belongings, money, etc. immediately alert local police. As always, having a professional alarm system installed in your home is the most thorough way to prevent an intruder from getting into your home unnoticed.
