Key Cloning Leads To 1,285% Spike In Vehicle Thefts Of Popular Model

LOS ANGELES, CA — Car thieves are using key-cloning devices to heist newer-model Chevrolet Camaros, leading to a spike in Downtown vehicle thefts, the Los Angeles Police Department warned Thursday.

On Saturday, police arrested a juvenile suspect who had such a device.

"Detectives have noticed that key clone devices have been utilized in many newer model Camaro thefts. These devices are about the size of a cell phone and are a programming tool that picks up the signal of a key fob nearby which the device then clones," The LAPD reported.

In the area around Downtown, there has been a 500 percent increase of stolen Camaros. In 2023, two Camaros were stolen out of Newton Area and, year-to-date, there have been 10 Camaros stolen, according to police.

City-wide, there has been a 1,285% increase of stolen Camaros. In 2023, seven Camaros
were stolen city-wide and, year-to-date, there have been 90 Camaros stolen.

The stolen Camaros are easily resold or used in street racing, police said.

To avoid being a victim, detectives advise urge people to never keep key fobs inside their vehicle. Additionally, security cases can be bought to prevent key fobs signals from being transmitted. Even home remedies such as wrapping fobs in aluminum foil or placing fobs inside tin cans have been proven effective, according to the LAPD.

Anyone with information about the scheme is urged to contact LAPD Newton Auto Detectives at 323-846-6592.