Thieves using tracking devices to steal expensive cars, New Castle County police warn

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Thieves in New Castle County, Delaware are using GPS tracking devices to trace and steal expensive cars, police warned.

Investigators said it only takes a few seconds for criminals to put the small, magnetic black boxes underneath high-end cars that are parked in public areas. Then, they track the car to the driver’s home.

“Detectives believe that the suspects are taking these trackers and placing them underneath high-performance vehicles to go back at a later time — during the night or the next day, whenever — to steal the vehicle,” New Castle County Police Sr. Cpl. Richard Chambers told NBC10 .

Among the vehicles targeted: Dodge Chargers, Challengers, Hellcats and Durangos, and Jeep Trackhawks. Chambers said owners of these types of cars should be careful when parking in public spaces, and they should inspect their vehicles for any tracking devices.

“An arm’s length away seems to be a good area to look under your vehicle, under the bumpers under the undercarriage, under the wheel wells — anywhere that’s magnetic,” he added.

If you find one on your vehicle, don’t try to remove it, he advised. Instead, call the cops. Chambers said the device can be used to help track down the would-be thief.