Police Warn Of ‘Techno Thieves’ In Hamden

By Jack Kramer, Correspondent

HAMDEN, CT – Both the mayor and police chief are warning Hamden residents about a recent wave of attempted and actual thefts of motor vehicles in town.

Mayor Curt Balzano Leng, in a Facebook post on Sunday night, said: “There has been an increase in theft and attempted theft in motor vehicles in areas of our Town. This is not unique to Hamden, it’s unfortunately occurring in Towns and Cities throughout CT. Recently there were newspaper articles stating just this, reporting on similar issues in North Haven, Guilford and others municipalities.”

Leng continued: “I wanted to take a moment this evening to assure you that the Hamden Police Department is working hard on these matters, that Police Chief Wydra and I are in contact regarding these issues and many public safety matters daily, to remind everyone of some of the safety and crime prevention recommendations the Hamden Police Department made recently regarding preventing motor vehicle theft and break-ins and ways to combat ‘porch pirates’ and finally to supply some new recommendations that Chief Wydra was kind enough to send me today regarding an unfortunate potential new trend some are seeing - techno-thieves - vehicle break-in attempts using technology to first steal keyless entry style tech data to simply unlock the cars without the need to physically break anything. Many newer cars with keyless locking/unlocking are at risk of this, as is any keyless systems.

Leng said the town is working hard to prevent these occurrences by being present and visible throughout neighborhoods and by completing deterrence patrols/runs at locations where the most recent historical data is driving the conversation. For historical perspective purposes, in 2017 the Police completed 10,133 of these deterrence patrols to-date, compared to less than 5,000 annually in the mid-2000s. And, police have completed 525 of these patrols within the last week alone (since December 10th).

“This is one of many reasons it is extremely important for you to ALWAYS report theft, attempted theft and any suspicious activity to the Police. Without the information, our officers can’t use this essential data to work toward being in the right places at the right times to the best of their ability,” Leng said.

Read more from Mayor Curt Balzano Leng below:

The Hamden Police Department would like to provide the following crime prevention tips regarding larcenies from motor vehicles:

• Vehicles should be parked in a well-lit area, a garage or driveway.
• Vehicles should be locked.
• All valuables, including loose change should be removed from your vehicle.
• An alarm system is a valuable tool.
• Residents should ALWAYS contact the Hamden Police Department whenever suspicious activity is observed. The Hamden Police Department can be reached at (203) 230-4000, social media outlets and Tip 411.

The Hamden Police Department would like to provide the following crime prevention tips regarding delivered packages:

• If you are not home, have your packages delivered to your place of employment, a relative or friend’s residence or to a neighbor’s residence.
• Install a security camera at the front of your residence. This may prevent package theft.
• Establish a neighborhood watch.
• Require a signature upon delivery.

New Recommendations To Prevent Higher Tech Thieves; includes descriptions of activities and recommendations for how to avoid (please note that these tips came from a helpful article from the Sunday Times UK):

Car theft: signal jamming. What is signal jamming?

This is the most common way thieves gain access to a car. A device transmitting on the same radio frequency as remote key fobs is used to jam the signal that locks the car. The gadget might be in the pocket of a crook in a car park, or left in shrubbery near a driveway being targeted. When owners press the lock button on their key fob, the command is prevented from reaching their vehicle and it remains unlocked. Thieves are left with an open door.

Used for: Gaining access to vehicles, usually to steal valuables inside.

Avoid being a victim: Make sure the indicators flash when you press the lock button and listen for the clunk of locks.

Car theft: signal relay. What is signal relaying?

Keyless systems use a simple process. Vehicles emit a short-range “friendly” radio signal that carries only a few yards. When the correct key fob is close by, the fob recognizes the signal and transmits its own code, instructing the vehicle to unlock the doors. The same process is used for the ignition on cars with start buttons.

Thieves have begun using wireless transmitters held close to a target vehicle to capture its radio transmission. This is relayed to another device held by an accomplice close to the key fob, which might be in the pocket of the owner at a motorway services, or by a window at home. It fools the fob into thinking that it is next to the car, prompting the release of the unlock code. Once the thief is inside the car, the process can be repeated to start the engine.

Used for: Gaining access and then stealing vehicles.

Avoid being a victim: Keep keys out of sight at home. When out, carry them in a shielded wallet or aluminum tin.

Car theft: key programming. What is key programming?

Whether thieves break a window or use the jamming technique above, once they’re inside the car, those vehicles with a start button rather than an ignition key can be simple to steal.

Every car sold in the past 10 years has been required to have a standard diagnostic port fitted. This is typically located in the front footwell. Computer hackers have developed devices that plug into the port, boot up a vehicle’s software and then program a blank key fob. In keyless cars this can be used to start the engine as well as unlock the doors. The time needed for the programming process is as short as 14 seconds. The cost of programming gadgets on foreign websites is as low as £10.

Used for: Stealing a vehicle once the crook is inside.

Avoid being a victim: Fit a lock to your diagnostic port and use additional security such as a steering-wheel lock.

Car theft: close range. What is close range testing?

Some keyless fobs may still be in range of the car when if left inside the house near enough to the vehicle. Thieves can discreetly check by trying the door handles, which may unlock the doors, but are unlikely to be able to drive off in the car if they do get inside: keyless systems require a fob to be inside the car before the engine will start.

Even if owners do not fall victim to thieves, they may end up with a flat battery because the proximity of the key keeps electronic systems on standby.

Used for: Gaining access to a vehicle.

Avoid being a victim: Find a safe place for your keys at home and check to ensure they are out of range.

Car theft: code grabbing. What is code grabbing?

Thieves armed with advanced gadgets are thought to lie in wait for desirable cars. When the owner locks the doors, the signal is captured by the device, which then calculates the unlock code. Though there is little evidence this method is currently being used, some experts are convinced it is a looming threat. Others say it is impossible.

Used for: Gaining access to a vehicle.

Avoid being a victim: Lock the car with a key if possible.

Car theft: app hacking. What is app hacking?

This method is rarely used but could become popular as car makers attempt to connect their vehicles with owners’ smartphones. Apps that allow drivers to unlock their car can let thieves do the same thing on their own phone if they can log in to the app as the vehicle’s owner. All they need is the password, which they may steal or guess.

Used for: Gaining access to a vehicle.

Avoid being a victim: Create a secure password with letters and numbers.

Image via Shutterstock