Keyless car crooks are caught on CCTV stealing disabled man’s £80,000 Tesla in 120 seconds and leave footprint behind but police still say there is not enough evidence to catch them
- Keyless car crooks took just 120 seconds to steal Cristian Brownlee’s Model S car
- Despite CCTV of thieves and a footprint police say they can’t investigate further
- The thieves stole the £80,000 Tesla using a gadget that can be bought for £80
- CCTV shows two people near Mr Brownlee’s home in Bexley, south-east London
A disabled man handed police CCTV of thieves stealing his £80,000 Tesla only to be told there was ‘not enough evidence’ to help find the culprits.
Keyless car crooks took just 120 seconds to steal Cristian Brownlee’s Model S using gadgets which can be bought online for just £80.
But despite obtaining crisp CCTV of the masked thieves taking the car and a perfect footprint from mud in his garden, it took ten days for police to even visit.
Police then told the 29-year-old businessman that officers could not identify the men from the CCTV so the case was closed.
Keyless car crooks took just 120 seconds to steal Cristian Brownlee’s Model S using gadgets which can be bought online for just £80
Mr Brownlee, who uses a wheelchair after a car accident in 2011, said: ‘I was extremely shocked.
‘The footage clearly shows that someone was responsible and there was also a footprint to show that someone had been on the driveway.
‘There is clear evidence but it seems that the police simply aren’t interested in pursuing the case.
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‘I really hope that my car can be found but I know that the chances of finding it are quite slim.’
CCTV shows two people near Mr Brownlee’s home in Bexley, London, stealing his car using the ‘relay’ technique, at around 5am on November 16.
One waved a relay amplifier near the house to pick up the signal from the key fob which was put near the front door.
CCTV shows two people near Mr Brownlee’s home in Bexley, London, stealing his car using the ‘relay’ technique, at around 5am on November 16
Mr Brownlee, who has a spinal cord injury, said the car had been specially adapted to suit his needs
If the car key fob is close enough to the amplifier, then it picks up a signal and tricks the car into thinking the car key fob is next to the vehicle, and the doors unlock.
In just 120 seconds, they managed to unlock the car and one man drove off in it.
Meanwhile, another man dashed over a nearby fence leaving a clear muddy footprint, from his distinctive red shoes, which was spotted by Mr Brownlee the next morning.
Christian, who was in bed at the time, said: ‘I got up at 9.30am and received a visit from the district nurse shortly after, who told me that my car had gone.
‘I thought she was joking but when I checked and realised that it had actually gone I was lost for words.
‘So I checked my CCTV camera’s and couldn’t believe what I saw – the cars had been stolen.
‘We also spotted a footprint outside by our fence which indicated that they were trying to make a quick getaway.’
Despite obtaining crisp CCTV of the masked thieves taking the car and a perfect footprint from mud in his garden, it took ten days for police to even visit Mr Brownlee’s home
Mr Brownlee, who has a spinal cord injury, added: ‘The car has been specially adapted for my needs to allow me to get around so it’s a real loss to lose it.’
He claims the officer said he was going to close the case and said no further action would be taken because there wasn’t ‘sufficient evidence’.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: ‘The theft is believed to have taken place between the evening of 15 November, and the morning of 16 November.
‘All of the available evidence – including CCTV, and the scene – has been assessed.
‘The suspects were not identifiable, and with no further evidential opportunities to follow up on, the investigation has been closed.
‘If any further information comes to light, it will be reviewed by officers.’
How to protect your vehicle: Everyday items like a drinks can can stop the criminals in their tracks
Every make and model of car which can start ‘keylessly’ is susceptible to a relay attack.
While this might put drivers on edge, there are easy steps you can take to stop you becoming the next victim of a relay theft.
Certain metals are capable of blocking key signals, which means if you store your fob with one of these metals around it, criminals won’t be able to pick them up and steal your vehicle.
The most simple and most ingenious is a metal can.
The aluminum in a drinks can will stop radio signals being transmitted from your key and stop burglars in their tracks.
Some experts have suggested keeping your keys in the fridge, as the material on the inside will block signals too.
High-tech car thieves working together can steal your keyless car within a few seconds
If you’re looking for a low-cost option, some people wrap their fobs in tin foil – although this isn’t endorsed by security firms.
Keeping your keys in a small metal box however can work efficiently.
Special faraday pouches — cheap wallets which shield the key’s radio signal from being transmitted — are also useful for storing your keys when you’re away from home – in motorway service stations and public car parks.
Experts also encourage drivers to keep them at least 5m away from their front door, to give thieves the worst chance of being able to relay a signal.
But some security specialists advise against hiding your car keys too obscurely in your house — because if serious criminals truly want to steal your car, they will break in and do anything to find the keys.
Old-fashioned methods like parking in a well-lit area, using a steering wheel lock and installing a proper tracking device to your vehicle are still highly recommended to keep your car safe.
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