Break-In/Theft + Alarm System Q

[valentinoamoro]

My baby got broken into right outside my house last night. I didn't hear a thing. I'm feeling violated and really upset, but determined to solve the problem and need your help.


I have the Enhanced Security Package. No alarm went off.
Fortunately, there is no sign of damage to the car/locks or anything - when I went up to the car in the morning it was closed. My dash cam, escort 9500ix, a glass hammer and my cell phone mount were stolen. The trunk and engine bay were not opened. All things considered, it could have been worse and my car is undamaged, which is the most important thing to me.

Looking to the forum on how they could have gotten entry:

Theory 1: I am questioning forced entry. I dont see any signs of it beyond possible a scuff/dust mark here (on the passenger side top corner plastic near the window). I still dont know how they would enter an armed car. See photo?

Theory 2: I may not have armed the car after driving it. However, page 62 of my 2015 Owners Manual (under Security) says Automatic Arming - the vehicle arms immediately after switching the ignition off.
I tested this and its not correct. I drove the car, closed the door, walked away with the key. Came a back without the key 10 mins later and it was unlocked - this is strange. Can you verify?

Theory 3: I did drive the car, close it, unlock it later at some point (to remove something), open the door, but did not lock it again. In this case, I did check and the alarm does not activate automatically (it does not relock).

The manual says (under Locks - Auto Relock), if you simply unlock the car but dont open a door within 45 seconds, it does relocks (auto-relock) - I verified this is correct. However, it does not relock if you opened the door and closed it but did not re-arm. This is bizarre.

Theory 4: Someone (detailer, installer etc) got a hold of my key and managed to copy the electronic signature (I am assuming the rolling codes make this impossible)

Theory 5: Someone managed to remotely access the proximity key signal and enhance it. Unlikely, given its stored in an RFID pouch far away from the car.


Also, I found this device in my car. What is it? Seems to me made of light plastic.

I'm keen to avoid this happening again:
Has anyone considered an aftermarket alarm that auto-locks and works with the Ford system? How about a true perimeter/proximity sensor? The perimeter alarm on the car does not sound if someone touches the car.

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[angermgmt14]

That top picture looks like a cops baton? (Billy club)

 

[goldengooner]

That top picture looks like a cops baton? (Billy club)

rather bizarre
why leave a police baton in the car? I would guess that is used to break the windscreen to get into the car, if need be, so why leave it?
Sounds to me like it was not planned and they were opportunity thieves, trying out car doors, yours was open they nicked what was easy and quick and legged it.
Don't sound like they were after stealing the car,
I found this alarm, a bit hit and miss, I still do what I used to do with the S197 press the lights twice from the fob, so the car bleeps at me.
I am not sure about just pressing the door handle and seeing the red light come on.

 

[valentinoamoro]

rather bizarre
why leave a police baton in the car? I would guess that is used to break the windscreen to get into the car, if need be, so why leave it?
Sounds to me like it was not planned and they were opportunity thieves, trying out car doors, yours was open they nicked what was easy and quick and legged it.
Don't sound like they were after stealing the car,
I found this alarm, a bit hit and miss, I still do what I used to do with the S197 press the lights twice from the fob, so the car bleeps at me.
I am not sure about just pressing the door handle and seeing the red light come on.

I think it was opportunistic as well.
I'm super frustrated the car does not auto-lock after driving it or opening/closing the door. WTF. It only relocks if you unlock the car and dont open/close the door. Stupid as hell.

The baton was hollow plastic. I think they used that to scare off anyone who would confront them. Why they left it is beyond me.

Feeling pretty violated today.:tsk:

 

[KevinG]

I think it was opportunistic as well.
I'm super frustrated the car does not auto-lock after driving it or opening/closing the door. WTF. It only relocks if you unlock the car and dont open/close the door. Stupid as hell.

I would not want to have the car auto lock on me and Ford would have a lot of pissed off customers if that were the case. Think about this. You pull up to a gas station, leave your key fob in the cup holder while pumping gas and the car locks you out.

 

[Ecoboosted]

Did you get the police to come/make a report? Maybe they could of gotten finger prints from the item left in your car. Time for a real alarm. I put a Viper alarm in my car and have been really happy with it.

 

[Schism]

I've never had a cop take fingerprints after any of my or friends/work reports after theft/damage where we knew fingerprints have to be there. I think they reserve this extra work for serious crimes (unfortunately). Around the D.C. area at-least

 

[Road Dog]

I would not want to have the car auto lock on me and Ford would have a lot of pissed off customers if that were the case. Think about this. You pull up to a gas station, leave your key fob in the cup holder while pumping gas and the car locks you out.

It will not lock if you leave the fob in the car and the engine off. I don't think you can lock the fob in the trunk either.

 

[jabrax]

It will not lock if you leave the fob in the car and the engine off. I don't think you can lock the fob in the trunk either.

Thats correct, car will not lock if the fob is in the car, nor will the trunk close if you drop the key in

 

[valentinoamoro]

Did you get the police to come/make a report? Maybe they could of gotten finger prints from the item left in your car. Time for a real alarm. I put a Viper alarm in my car and have been really happy with it.

Do you have the enhanced alarm and the Viper alarm?
Do you have two fobs or just the Viper Smart Start (which is more of a notification system).

I am debating these options:
>whether to have the dealer add a shock sensor, look into whether they can program auto-lock to work whenever there is no key detected.
>Another option is look at Viper Smart Start. This arms the car when you walk away.
https://www.viper.com/smartstart/product/vsk100/viper-smartkey
> I'm wondering if something like this is also worth it and if it can be made to work with the factory system.
https://www.viper.com/car/accessories/product/508d/invisibeam-field-disturbance-sensor


The cops are going to come - I bet its because I mentioned the the 'baton' and the call handler seemed like they would be interested in it.

 

[RIBS]

I think it is It is possible to capture the key fob output and amplify if, sort of pass it through a device that then controls your car....think of it as a wifi repeater with control buttons...I read up on them when I lived temporarily in an apartment .....

 

[Chameleon]

1st, I'm sorry to hear your car was broken into. Bastards. I will think on the theories.

 

[fordracerguy]

From what I've read, there are devices that can be purchased from eBay for $30 that unlock most new cars. From my limited knowledge, there are two ways to use these devices. They can "listen" in when you lock or unlock your car using the key fob. The device then duplicates the signal. The other way is a repeater device, which is two pieces. One piece goes near the car, and the other piece goes near you. For instance, if you put your keys inside your front door (in the house) on a table they can put one device outside your front door, and the other device on the car. It boosts the key fob signal making the car think you are near the car. They simply touch the door handle, and unlock the door. They make bags that you can put your keys in to block this technique. https://www.amazon.com/Mission-Dark...TF8&qid=1473306643&sr=8-1&keywords=keyfob+bag

 

[BamBam]

From what I've read, there are devices that can be purchased from eBay for $30 that unlock most new cars. From my limited knowledge, there are two ways to use these devices. They can "listen" in when you lock or unlock your car using the key fob. The device then duplicates the signal. The other way is a repeater device, which is two pieces. One piece goes near the car, and the other piece goes near you. For instance, if you put your keys inside your front door (in the house) on a table they can put one device outside your front door, and the other device on the car. It boosts the key fob signal making the car think you are near the car. They simply touch the door handle, and unlock the door. They make bags that you can put your keys in to block this technique. https://www.amazon.com/Mission-Dark...TF8&qid=1473306643&sr=8-1&keywords=keyfob+bag

This.

We've had a few cars get broken in to and sometimes stolen using the amplifier method.

I saw a guy one night doing my neighborhood watch stuff (really small town and we work with the police department as observe and report, never confront), Younger light skinned kid i'd say late teens or early 20s walking down the street with an ipad, headphones on and black plastic bag. The following morning people just a block away from where I saw the guy reported their F150 SVT raptor, 2012'ish BMW 5 series, Neighbors Buick Enclave, another neighbors 2014ish Dodge Charger and Lexus suv thing were broken in to and an ipad was stolen from the raptors glove box.

I reported to the police and posted that I saw the guy who did it, gave a detailed description of what he looked like and where he was heading... I think he or his family saw the facebook post because after that the thefts stopped.

The police explained to us (neighborhood watch meeting) that they've caught thieves with little home made devices that amplify the key fobs signal... After googling it for a bit, Some have a 300 meter range and there are videos of people using them.

Put the device next to or touching the car, press the button and the car starts looking for the signal which is being amplified to your key fob tricking the car in to thinking you're pressing unlock.

Before I saw the guy, We had a Lexus GXwhatever stolen and found with no damage and a new Mini Pooper S same thing...

You can get an RF blocking pouch like posted above for your keys or put them in a freezer every night.

 

[valentinoamoro]

From what I've read, there are devices that can be purchased from eBay for $30 that unlock most new cars. From my limited knowledge, there are two ways to use these devices. They can "listen" in when you lock or unlock your car using the key fob. The device then duplicates the signal. The other way is a repeater device, which is two pieces. One piece goes near the car, and the other piece goes near you. For instance, if you put your keys inside your front door (in the house) on a table they can put one device outside your front door, and the other device on the car. It boosts the key fob signal making the car think you are near the car. They simply touch the door handle, and unlock the door. They make bags that you can put your keys in to block this technique. https://www.amazon.com/Mission-Dark...TF8&qid=1473306643&sr=8-1&keywords=keyfob+bag

This.

We've had a few cars get broken in to and sometimes stolen using the amplifier method.

I saw a guy one night doing my neighborhood watch stuff (really small town and we work with the police department as observe and report, never confront), Younger light skinned kid i'd say late teens or early 20s walking down the street with an ipad, headphones on and black plastic bag. The following morning people just a block away from where I saw the guy reported their F150 SVT raptor, 2012'ish BMW 5 series, Neighbors Buick Enclave, another neighbors 2014ish Dodge Charger and Lexus suv thing were broken in to and an ipad was stolen from the raptors glove box.

I reported to the police and posted that I saw the guy who did it, gave a detailed description of what he looked like and where he was heading... I think he or his family saw the facebook post because after that the thefts stopped.

The police explained to us (neighborhood watch meeting) that they've caught thieves with little home made devices that amplify the key fobs signal... After googling it for a bit, Some have a 300 meter range and there are videos of people using them.

Put the device next to or touching the car, press the button and the car starts looking for the signal which is being amplified to your key fob tricking the car in to thinking you're pressing unlock.

Before I saw the guy, We had a Lexus GXwhatever stolen and found with no damage and a new Mini Pooper S same thing...

You can get an RF blocking pouch like posted above for your keys or put them in a freezer every night.

Thanks. This 'amplification' theory does not apply in my case. Simply because I put my key in an RFID pouch and did so last night as well.

As far as capturing, storing and copying the signal for future use - that doesn't work as the key fob signal is a rolling code I believe.
I believe I did not arm the car yesterday and as it doesnt auto-rearm (thanks Ford), they simply opened the car and had a field day.

I am looking into this tomorrow (which does nothing to solve the arming issue) with my dealer for my Ford. I'm also installing the latest upgraded dealer installed security packaged in my brand new Rav 4 as well.
https://accessories.ford.com/electronics/vehicle-security/electronic-module-11318.html

Finally, I purchased an Arlo camera to see whats going on outside my house.

I might even consider a Viper Security notification system, but unsure at this point.
The biggest lesson for me is to lock my car.

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