


While most people don't know they have a valet key, car thieves do, and they use them to easily steal and drive away with a car. In some BMW models, the valet key is usually in the car's tool kit in the trunk. For example, Fuller said the valet key might be found inside the owner's manual. This key is normally used when someone else operates your vehicle, such as a valet parking attendant. Valet keys usually can unlock the driver's side door and start the car, but can't unlock the trunk or the glove box. and a lot of people don't know that they have a valet key inside their vehicle," Fuller explained. Quicklist: 6title: There Might Be a Key Inside Your Car You Don't Know Abouttext: "Well, there are some vehicles that have valet keys. It's a misdemeanor, and I could take that vehicle, having a key to the vehicle that belongs to that vehicle," he said. Most importantly, Fuller said if he found a key to the car inside of it, it's not a felony. I found it in all those places," Fuller said.įuller said 90 percent of the vehicles he's stolen came from him just scoping out the vehicle, finding the keys, and taking the vehicle. "Glove compartment, center console, door, change tray, you name it, it's there. Quicklist: 5title: Don't Keep Spare Keys in Your Cartext: Think you've got a great hiding spot for your spare keys? Car thieves know where to look. Police also warn that leaving your keys in your car at a gas station, even while you are pumping gas, is an invitation to have your car stolen.

Car thieves will simply hop in the car, put it in drive, and go.

Quicklist: 4title: You Should Reconsider Leaving Your Car Runningtext:While it might seem like a great idea to warm your car up in the morning, you might as well put a bow on your car. Good alarms with motion sensors, nosy neighbors, and security cameras also deter car thieves, who will simply go to other areas where they can avoid those certain things. If well hidden, kill switches may take a while to deactivate and can deter car thieves who don't want to waste time and will move on to another car. Kill switches disrupt the flow of electricity at the battery or ignition or disable the fuel pump. Having a kill switch in your car can also deter thieves. "It's nice and quiet, less distractions, less people walking around," he said. and 5 a.m., because most people are asleep. Fuller said he preferred to come back between 2 a.m. This means stealing cars at a certain time. That's why car thieves avoid things that may call attention to themselves. Quicklist: 3title: Car Thieves Dislike 5 Things: Daytime, Kill Switches, Alarms, Nosy Neighbors and Security Camerastext: Being quick and inconspicuous is necessary when stealing a car. "All I really have to deal with was somebody coming down from their apartment to get in their vehicle, and at that time in the middle of night it's not usually that often." I can hear if somebody was coming," Fuller said. Quicklist: 2title: It Matters Where You Park Your Cartext: Car thieves avoid cars parked in front of houses and in driveways because they're too wide open and visible.ĭark secluded locations, such as apartment buildings and complexes, carports, underground parking, and parking garages, can be appealing to car thieves because they can have their pick of vehicles in one location.
