High-tech thieves targeting vehicles Thieves employing advanced methods to break into vehicles and steal valuables are now operating in Laos, with the police having arrested a man undertaking such activities in Vientiane. The man used a remote control device to unlock a car and steal items from inside it at the Pakpasak intersection in Chanthabouly district. Chief of the Vientiane Police Office, Lieutenant Colonel Salong Sengathith, said the man arrested was a Chinese citizen. A police team followed the man after he was seen acting suspiciously along the riverfront, where many cars were parked. He then broke into a black car and the police immediately arrested him. The man is suspected of being part of a gang that uses electronic devices including remote controls to break into cars. "This is a new criminal activity happening in our society. There have been six cases in which victims have reported crimes to police after losing their valuables," Lieutenant Colonel Salong said. He said such devices tended to be used in countries like Indonesia, Vietnam and China, where thieves are becoming more sophisticated through the use of technology. Now, such incidents are occurring in Laos. Police in charge of the investigation said that when drivers tried to lock their cars with their remotes, the hidden thieves used their own remote to interrupt the signal. This means the automatic locking system of the vehicle will fail to work, allowing the thieves to steal items from inside. Thefts from vehicles are also common because the owners are careless about locking them properly, leaving expensive items inside, police said. “People just simply walk away from their cars and lock them by remote control from a distance without realising their vehicle may be targeted by high-tech thieves,” the police investigative team said, adding that while items are stolen, the car remains undamaged. After the capture of the man and his remote control, the police are now trying to figure out how the remote works. This will involve IT personnel, who can explain the workings of the device in more detail and understand how it operates. One factor attracting these thieves to Laos is the increasing number of vehicles on the roads. Police admitted that thieves are becoming more sophisticated in obtaining information and stealing cars, which means law enforcement officials must work harder to combat this new scourge. By Phonesavanh Sangsomboun (Latest Update August13, 2013)
Posted on: Tue, 13 Aug 2013 01:53:34 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015