Brandon Cundiff had diligently saved money over a significant period to acquire his dream car. To his dismay, his hard-earned property was reduced to broken glass in his driveway by Friday. This unfortunate incident occurred just as Cundiff and his children were getting accustomed to their new condo, which they had moved into only four days prior. He faces the grim reality of approximately $2,000 in damages, which presents him with the difficult decision of choosing whether to replace household items or repair his cherished vehicle.
The aftermath of the incident revealed that the 2018 Dodge Charger RT was stolen but later found abandoned by an observant passerby. Upon Cundiff’s discovery of the theft, he filed a report with the police. Surprisingly, the recovery of his car provided clues to how the theft transpired: a connecting device was left hanging from the glove compartment.
Cundiff explained that this tool had the ability to manipulate the car’s computer system, convincing it to believe that it was in operation. Consequently, this allowed the burglars to reset his vehicle’s key without detection. Despite his diligent efforts, Cundiff became an unsuspecting victim of this innovative crime that appears to be gaining traction, and many others have suffered the same fate.
The increasing theft of Dodge vehicles has not gone unnoticed by the Louisville Metro Police Department. Alarming data unveiled in June registered around 45 reported incidents of vehicle burglaries and outright thefts. This situation appears to be escalating, as police reports in July indicate the frequency of similar cases nearly doubled.
A spokesperson for the Louisville Metro Police Department has shared community observations hinting at an emerging trend. It appears that criminals are photographing the Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) of Dodge vehicles parked in driveways. The police department’s urgency to manage this situation emanated from the desire to prevent an outcome similar to the previous theft occurrences involving Kia vehicles.
Expert opinion suggests that potential burglars venture out under the cover of darkness to locate and photograph VINs on parked vehicles. Using these details, they can create digital keys designed specifically for the targeted car. Eventually, they return to the location and carry out the theft seemingly unchallenged.
The police department is proactive in their approach to solve this issue and requests citizens to provide any available video footage capturing such activities. If a group of unfamiliar faces are observed frequently exiting a vehicle and taking photos of cars, it could likely contribute to discerning the identification of these criminals.
Evidence of this criminal trend manifests in surveillance footage. The LMPD spokesperson emphasized the importance of any recorded footage of suspicious activities in residential neighborhoods. If unfamiliar individuals are seen exiting a single vehicle and then undertaking a photo session of parked cars, the LMPD ought to be alerted immediately.
The Commonwealth Dodge dealership situated on Preston Highway has also observed a pattern in these thefts, noting that models like the Charger, Challenger, and Durango are favored targets. A representative from the dealership clarified that the culprits use a device to scan VINs and subsequently manufacture a digital key, especially easy with the new start or remote start vehicles’ prevalence.
As a victim to some of these Dodge thefts, the dealership is implementing measures to counter this form of crime. Deactivating certain fuses can effectively reduce unauthorized access to their cars. The dealership urges customers to explore additional protective measures and invite the criminals to invest their creativity in more productive endeavors.
The spokesperson for the dealership did not restrain his insights for the culprits: ‘To these culprits, I say, apply your ingenuity toward finding gainful employment,’ he commented. He added that they should channel their creative abilities to pursuits other than auto theft given their demonstrated potential.
The community and the local authorities are encouraged to keep a vigilant eye on this escalating situation. Residents are urged to leverage video surveillance and report any suspicious activity occurring around their neighborhood, especially focusing on potential signs of vehicle theft or break-ins.
In times like these, solidarity within the community becomes significant. Community members should actively report any suspicious activity and cooperate with the LMPD in their investigations. Remember, proactive engagement can serve as a great deterrent to such crimes, ensuring the community’s safety and security.
In conclusion, this highlights an alarming trend in vehicle theft, particularly focusing on Dodge vehicles. By staying vigilant, sharing pertinent information with the authorities, and implementing recommended security measures, residents can contribute immensely to curbing this issue.
Lastly, any information or tips that could potentially help solve this, or any active crime case in the city, are greatly appreciated and can be reported anonymously to LMPD’s Crime Tip Line.
The post Rise in Dodge Vehicle Thefts Raises Alarm in Louisville appeared first on Real News Now.
About Author
