Carjack Attempt??

[Angel87]

So I had a weird incident that happened to us yesterday. We noticed that someone parked a random white Toyota car between my house and my neighbor around 7pm on Monday. Around 1am on Tuesday, we noticed two guys walking by that car and were walking in front of our house and then around 6am, one of the guys came up to the side of my house and was looking around and from the looks of it, he took a picture of either himself or whatever was around him. About an hour later he walked in front of our house again. Around 1pm on he finally got in that white car and left and didn’t return. I showed a different neighbor and he stated that it seems like he was staking out the place because he was aiming for my truck (‘21 Tahoe RST) and wanted to see if we had any cameras, dogs, etc. He mentioned that car thieves are aiming towards GM SUVs and Dodge Durangos, specifically those with keyless entry and he thinks the guy was carrying some sort of device that was trying to get signal from my key fob to start the truck. I couldn’t believe him as there is nothing special about my Tahoe (Stock and only changes have been muffler delete, changed out the fender amber lights to smoked out LEDs) and the community where we live is brand new and there other nicer looking cars. Has anyone had a similar experience or think my neighbor is telling the truth?? Ive been on the edge since yesterday morning.

 

[Doubeleive]

So I had a weird incident that happened to us yesterday. We noticed that someone parked a random white Toyota car between my house and my neighbor around 7pm on Monday. Around 1am on Tuesday, we noticed two guys walking by that car and were walking in front of our house and then around 6am, one of the guys came up to the side of my house and was looking around and from the looks of it, he took a picture of either himself or whatever was around him. About an hour later he walked in front of our house again. Around 1pm on he finally got in that white car and left and didn’t return. I showed a different neighbor and he stated that it seems like he was staking out the place because he was aiming for my truck (‘21 Tahoe RST) and wanted to see if we had any cameras, dogs, etc. He mentioned that car thieves are aiming towards GM SUVs and Dodge Durangos, specifically those with keyless entry and he thinks the guy was carrying some sort of device that was trying to get signal from my key fob to start the truck. I couldn’t believe him as there is nothing special about my Tahoe (Stock and only changes have been muffler delete, changed out the fender amber lights to smoked out LEDs) and the community where we live is brand new and there other nicer looking cars. Has anyone had a similar experience or think my neighbor is telling the truth?? Ive been on the edge since yesterday morning.

I would keep your fobs in farady a device for the time being just to be on the safe side. whenever you are home, both/all fobs not just one make it clear to anyone else to do the same.
and perhaps look at other available 3rd party security solutions at a audio shop they sell and professionally install all different kinds.

 

[Angel87]

I would keep your fobs in farady device for the time being just to be on the safe side. whenever you are home, both/all fobs not just one make it clear to anyone else to do the same.
and perhaps look at other available 3rd party security solutions at a audio shop they sell and professionally install all different kinds.

Thank you for the feedback. Will definitely look at those options.

 

[K2 Kaiju]

As Doubelieve was refering to, thieves try to sniff your signal from inside the house, then amplify it to a receiver by the car and get in and go. All tahoes have loads of expensive parts to sell which makes them a valuable theft. I would report it to the police...

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

In case you don't know what a Faraday Box is:
A fully metal box will not allow radio waves out, or in...
Even wrapping the fob in Tin Foil will do the trick...
All sides of the box need to be electrically connected...
Google for more info...

This theft technique is particularly effective in cases where people park their vehicle in a driveway that is right next to the house, say maybe the home's kitchen, and then they leave the keys on the kitchen table. Anything you can do to keep the fob as far away distance wise from the vehicle as possible is good to do.

 

[PPK_]

So I had a weird incident that happened to us yesterday. We noticed that someone parked a random white Toyota car between my house and my neighbor around 7pm on Monday. Around 1am on Tuesday, we noticed two guys walking by that car and were walking in front of our house and then around 6am, one of the guys came up to the side of my house and was looking around and from the looks of it, he took a picture of either himself or whatever was around him. About an hour later he walked in front of our house again. Around 1pm on he finally got in that white car and left and didn’t return. I showed a different neighbor and he stated that it seems like he was staking out the place because he was aiming for my truck (‘21 Tahoe RST) and wanted to see if we had any cameras, dogs, etc. He mentioned that car thieves are aiming towards GM SUVs and Dodge Durangos, specifically those with keyless entry and he thinks the guy was carrying some sort of device that was trying to get signal from my key fob to start the truck. I couldn’t believe him as there is nothing special about my Tahoe (Stock and only changes have been muffler delete, changed out the fender amber lights to smoked out LEDs) and the community where we live is brand new and there other nicer looking cars. Has anyone had a similar experience or think my neighbor is telling the truth?? Ive been on the edge since yesterday morning.

well.. pictures help.. but given the details it is possible to intercept and copy the FOB signal - like up to 300 feet. The FOB communicates with the truck every minute or so. It takes a few days to create a new FOB and come back and take it. That FOB is 433 mhz so the signal is going to propagate well... a brick wall might weaken it.. but other materials it will sail through.

i'd put a steering wheel lock on it tonight. cause if this is to be.. it will happen 0400 or so when they will not have to deal with public at large.

my nieghbor got his GMC sierra swiped.. it was honda civic pacing his yard.. and i just did not put two and two together. two out of work thirty year olds - lean.. and wirey. he recorded it on his camera to no avail...

 

[blackelky]

I'd be more concerned with that person casing your house vs your vehicle. Just make sure your car insurance is in order.

 

[Marky Dissod]

i'd put a steering wheel lock on it tonight.

I can break through a steering wheel lock with my narrow @$$.
You want an UnBrakeable AutoLock - if you can still find one.

 

[Doubeleive]

well.. pictures help.. but given the details it is possible to intercept and copy the FOB signal - like up to 300 feet. The FOB communicates with the truck every minute or so. It takes a few days to create a new FOB and come back and take it. That FOB is 433 mhz so the signal is going to propagate well... a brick wall might weaken it.. but other materials it will sail through.

i'd put a steering wheel lock on it tonight. cause if this is to be.. it will happen 0400 or so when they will not have to deal with public at large.

my nieghbor got his GMC sierra swiped.. it was honda civic pacing his yard.. and i just did not put two and two together. two out of work thirty year olds - lean.. and wirey. he recorded it on his camera to no avail...

if this is the case the op could just pull the starter relay at night and put it back in the morning, easily figured out yes but a thief want's to just jump in and go not screw around and try to figure out why it wont start, they may just figure they did something wrong and move on.
certainly other crafty means to accomplish the same results without a big hassle everytime you want to drive your vehicle

 

[iamdub]

So I had a weird incident that happened to us yesterday. We noticed that someone parked a random white Toyota car between my house and my neighbor around 7pm on Monday. Around 1am on Tuesday, we noticed two guys walking by that car and were walking in front of our house and then around 6am, one of the guys came up to the side of my house and was looking around and from the looks of it, he took a picture of either himself or whatever was around him. About an hour later he walked in front of our house again. Around 1pm on he finally got in that white car and left and didn’t return. I showed a different neighbor and he stated that it seems like he was staking out the place because he was aiming for my truck (‘21 Tahoe RST) and wanted to see if we had any cameras, dogs, etc. He mentioned that car thieves are aiming towards GM SUVs and Dodge Durangos, specifically those with keyless entry and he thinks the guy was carrying some sort of device that was trying to get signal from my key fob to start the truck. I couldn’t believe him as there is nothing special about my Tahoe (Stock and only changes have been muffler delete, changed out the fender amber lights to smoked out LEDs) and the community where we live is brand new and there other nicer looking cars. Has anyone had a similar experience or think my neighbor is telling the truth?? Ive been on the edge since yesterday morning.

Doesn't seem like a carjack attempt at all. Seems like they're casing a theft, as the others have said. It's not that there are nicer cars elsewhere. It's that yours is easy to steal using the methods mentioned and has plenty of value. Don't keep any valuables, firearms, important/sensitive information, work materials, etc. in it and have a disabling device installed. Install camera(s) on your house. For fun, when you park, leave a note on the steering wheel addressed to a car thief that you've been watching them and that your car is disabled. Knowing that you and who-knows-who-else in your neighborhood is onto them should be quite a deterrent.

 

[jforb]

first thing I did when we moved to our new house a few years ago was take all the mancave crap out of the garage, and park the cars in it.

 

[RST Dana]

Put a Glock decal on it.

 

[Polo08816]

Doesn't seem like a carjack attempt at all. Seems like they're casing a theft, as the others have said. It's not that there are nicer cars elsewhere. It's that yours is easy to steal using the methods mentioned and has plenty of value. Don't keep any valuables, firearms, important/sensitive information, work materials, etc. in it and have a disabling device installed. Install camera(s) on your house. For fun, when you park, leave a note on the steering wheel addressed to a car thief that you've been watching them and that your car is disabled. Knowing that you and who-knows-who-else in your neighborhood is onto them should be quite a deterrent.

+1. This.

Put a Glock decal on it.

I've had an attempted car jacking experience - fortunately, it was quickly resolved in a manner with the least amount of "work". Your situational awareness is what will save you because action beats reaction every time all the time.

My SO and I went out to dinner around Baltimore but we parked about two streets away from the restaurant. On our way back to the car, I noticed that two males age between 20-30 seemed to be following us. Whenever we would cross a street, they would do the same. Based on their actions (and my training and experience), there was reasonable suspicion to believe they were planning to carjack or rob us. As we neared my car and they were about 2 car lengths away from us, I obscured my draw by keeping my back towards them. Afterwards, I turned around and I was already gun up at the high ready with my issued Glock 19 MOS w/ RMR squared up in their direction. I calmly asked them, "What's up man?" Here's what generally confirmed my suspicion: they immediately but calmy started to cross the street away from us avoiding eye contact at that point.

That's not a normal reaction for most people. For most law abiding civilians, they would usually be incredibly scared because that may be the first time they've ever experienced being drawn down upon. For those that have been in combat-like situations, my expectation is that they would quickly have a sense of why I reacted the way I did and we would quickly and clearly communicate to de-escalate the situation.

The point is that for opportunistic criminals carrying / presenting yourself as a professional in which this isn't your first rodeo AND having the jump on them usually convinces them to seek other easier targets of opportunity. I think that's what that note on the steering wheel would convey.

* I personally wouldn't have any gun stickers or anything indicating that I would be likely to resist them. I don't want to give them any warning because I want it to be a surprise. I also don't want them breaking into my car thinking I would leave a weapon in there.

I will say that if there's someone at work that's been carjacked (no longer has their car) and hasn't put rounds on target, we're going to give them a lot of sh$t for being a pu$$y.

 

[RST Dana]

+1. This.



I've had an attempted car jacking experience - fortunately, it was quickly resolved in a manner with the least amount of "work". Your situational awareness is what will save you because action beats reaction every time all the time.

My SO and I went out to dinner around Baltimore but we parked about two streets away from the restaurant. On our way back to the car, I noticed that two males age between 20-30 seemed to be following us. Whenever we would cross a street, they would do the same. Based on their actions (and my training and experience), there was reasonable suspicion to believe they were planning to carjack or rob us. As we neared my car and they were about 2 car lengths away from us, I obscured my draw by keeping my back towards them. Afterwards, I turned around and I was already gun up at the high ready with my issued Glock 19 MOS w/ RMR squared up in their direction. I calmly asked them, "What's up man?" Here's what generally confirmed my suspicion: they immediately but calmy started to cross the street away from us avoiding eye contact at that point.

That's not a normal reaction for most people. For most law abiding civilians, they would usually be incredibly scared because that may be the first time they've ever experienced being drawn down upon. For those that have been in combat-like situations, my expectation is that they would quickly have a sense of why I reacted the way I did and we would quickly and clearly communicate to de-escalate the situation.

The point is that for opportunistic criminals carrying / presenting yourself as a professional in which this isn't your first rodeo AND having the jump on them usually convinces them to seek other easier targets of opportunity. I think that's what that note on the steering wheel would convey.

* I personally wouldn't have any gun stickers or anything indicating that I would be likely to resist them. I don't want to give them any warning because I want it to be a surprise. I also don't want them breaking into my car thinking I would leave a weapon in there.

I will say that if there's someone at work that's been carjacked (no longer has their car) and hasn't put rounds on target, we're going to give them a lot of sh$t for being a pu$$y.

It was meant more to be entertaining since “we” don’t know many of the unknowns. Obviously, other options:
would be to park in a secure garage
install an alarm system
install cameras

All of which are a bit more costly than the decal.

 

[blackelky]

Put a Glock decal on it.

That makes it worse. Now they what house to steal guns out of when you're away. But if you're able too always conceal carry. Vedder holsters has always done pretty well for me.

 

[RST Dana]

Since I do not park outside, the thought about worrying about someone stealing guns from inside my house is a little weak. If the alarm sirens don’t change their mind, the gun safe should. Then again, I have neighbors (retired popo) which should help as well.
I don’t necessarily think a decal automatically makes the criminal think “target”. Possibly “hmm, maybe I solid move on”.

 

[Runfor5]

around Baltimore but we parked about two streets away from the restaurant.

Good old Baltimore... smfh. Glad everyone was alright

 

[grouch]

A tip on a Faraday cage, wrapping in foil helps, but if you really want to block a signal, ground it. A clamp on a wire to a metal pipe in your plumbing system is VERY effective.

I'm not too worried in my neighborhood due to the frequency of police (city and county) transiting past my house, the HIGH number of former military in the neighborhood plus the high number of weapons. I live near some projects but when there's trouble there, it never crosses the expressway. Might be something with the number of people on front porches with shotguns.

 

[Baja_Bob]

I never put advertising stickers on my vehicle, gun manufacturers, stereo equipment, etc. Never let a would be road-rager know what cards I'm holding.

My vehicle key fobs hang on the back of the front door, sometimes if the door moves back enough I'll see the GMC emblem project on to the driveway.

 

[stevedonato]

So I had a weird incident that happened to us yesterday. We noticed that someone parked a random white Toyota car between my house and my neighbor around 7pm on Monday. Around 1am on Tuesday, we noticed two guys walking by that car and were walking in front of our house and then around 6am, one of the guys came up to the side of my house and was looking around and from the looks of it, he took a picture of either himself or whatever was around him. About an hour later he walked in front of our house again. Around 1pm on he finally got in that white car and left and didn’t return. I showed a different neighbor and he stated that it seems like he was staking out the place because he was aiming for my truck (‘21 Tahoe RST) and wanted to see if we had any cameras, dogs, etc. He mentioned that car thieves are aiming towards GM SUVs and Dodge Durangos, specifically those with keyless entry and he thinks the guy was carrying some sort of device that was trying to get signal from my key fob to start the truck. I couldn’t believe him as there is nothing special about my Tahoe (Stock and only changes have been muffler delete, changed out the fender amber lights to smoked out LEDs) and the community where we live is brand new and there other nicer looking cars. Has anyone had a similar experience or think my neighbor is telling the truth?? Ive been on the edge since yesterday morning.

Hundreds of Car jacking incients have been prevented when the vehicle had a Stick shift manual transmission. Would it be nice if they still offered it as an option, even an expensive one since in my opinion would be peanuts when buying a new GMC Denali for $85k, don't you think?