BEVERLY HILLS, Mich. – The bitter cold wasn’t enough to deter burglars in Beverly Hills, who recently stole at least two cars in one night, including Lisa Petersen’s newer Dodge Durango.
Surveillance footage captured the theft as the criminals drove away with the vehicle parked in her driveway.
Beverly Hills police reported an unusual spike in car thefts last month. At least 10 cars were stolen directly from driveways during that time.
--> Woman reclaims stolen SUV with shocking discovery inside as car thefts spike in Beverly Hills
Petersen said this latest theft happened early Tuesday (Jan. 21), around 3:30 a.m., while she and her husband were fast asleep. Their Durango was eventually located in Detroit.
“The police called my husband and said it was in pristine condition, but the engine was shot,” Petersen said.
She said the theft left her both confused and alarmed because she kept her keys inside and the car locked.
Petersen said the police told her the thieves may have used a device to pick up the signal from her key fob, allowing them to unlock and start the car.
Adding to her concerns, her garage door opener was inside the Durango, leaving her home and family vulnerable.
“They could’ve gotten the car out of the garage and gotten into the house and taken anything, and we were both upstairs sleeping,” Petersen said.
The recent wave of thefts has caused many neighbors to purchase items like RFID-blocking boxes for car keys.
The boxes, often lined with copper mesh, are designed to block electronic signals and prevent thieves from accessing key fob codes.
“So we do those things, but what are [the thieves] gonna do next?” Petersen asked.
