Peninsula Police Warn Of 'Non-Traditional' Car Thieves

SAN MATEO, CA – San Mateo police are warning area residents that auto burglaries are on the rise in the region, and thieves are apparently getting very smart when it comes to committing these break-ins.

Police said there has been an increase in auto burglaries in the Baywood, Aragon and Bridgepointe neighborhoods in recent weeks.

"The auto burglaries appear to be happening in mostly residential neighborhoods over the evening and into the early morning hours," police said in a news release.

What's more, police say, in many of these thefts, the vehicles were locked and there were no signs of forced entry.

"No, you don’t have to question your sanity or if you indeed locked your car door," police said. "Thieves have found a technology to unlock vehicles, with wireless entry, using electronic devices."

"Although, this technology has been used over the last few years, there is still minimal information to what these devices are," police further explained. "The National Crime Bureau has stated that these electronic devices mimic the signal emitted by key fobs, which open car doors with a click of a button."

Police said there is not yet evidence the technology is being used in San Mateo, but the police department wants to notify the public about non-traditional methods thieves may use.

"With that information at hand, we urge our community to continue to protect themselves by not leaving their valuables in their vehicles, even if the vehicle is parked in your driveway," police said.

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