Carjacking is defined as the theft of a vehicle through force. While, luckily, the chances of becoming a victim of grand theft auto are slim, it still is a risk – and one of the worst types of possible security breach scenarios at that. Here’s a guide from the vehicular security experts at Golden Locksmiths on what Carjacking is, and how to avoid it.
Carjacking Facts
- It’s often what’s considered a crime of opportunity, performed at a whim when a vulnerable vehicle is visually spotted.
- Carjacking can be a rite of gang initiation or an act performed for the risk or thrill.
- Luxury vehicles can provide criminals with large amounts of quick cash.
- It’s harder to steal an unoccupied than an occupied car due to alarms.
- Most official criminal codes don’t have a definition for carjacking – with the act falling under categories of both armed robbery and auto theft.
- Carjacking often occurs during late night hours.
- Carjacking can happen in suburbs, small towns, rural spots, or large cities.
- Carjackers don’t profile victims based on age, race, or sex.
- Carjackers often look for cars stopped at intersections, garages, grocery stores, gas stations, garages, ATMs, car washes, highway exits, or driveways.
How Carjacking is performed
The bump and rob technique usually works through a team effort. First, a car with a driver and a passenger rear ends you. You get out of the car to exchange insurance information, and the passenger jumps in your car and drives off. If you get rear ended, look around before you exit your car and make sure there are other cars or passsersby around. If you feel somewhat nervous, quickly write down the car’s license number and description, and signal for the other car to follow you to a busy area. If you get out of the car, make sure to stay alert and keep your keys and wallet on your person.
Carjacking Risk Reduction
When getting into your car…
- Stay alert.
- Keep keys in hand as you approach your car, and look around and inside it.
- Be careful of people asking for directions or giving out flyers.
- If you feel uneasy, quickly enter your car, lock the doors, and exit the area.
When on the road…
- Keep doors locked and windows at least part way rolled.
- Leave room to move around other cars when you are stopping.
- Drive in the center lane.
- Try not to drive alone at night time.
- Be careful stopping to assist people with broken down cars as this may be a carjacking strategy – instead drive to a nearby phone and call a towing company to help.
When exiting your vehicle…
- Park in a well lit area ideally near people. Try not to park near dumpsters, forests, large trucks or vans or any other visibility obstruction.
- Don’t ever leave any valuables in plain view even inside locked cars – place all valuables in the trunk or glove compartment.
- If parking in a garage, try parking near/in one with an attendant, and only give them the ignition key.
- Always look around your surroundings before exiting your car.
If you are carjacked….
- Always give up your car if you are threatened with a gun or weapon – don’t protest, it’s not worth the risk.
- Leave the area as soon as you can.
- Keep a memory of what the carjacker looked like and what they were wearing for your crime report.