In the first half of September, two Slovak nationals—aged 54 and 43—were detained at the border. The older of the two was tracked by a police helicopter during the arrest. Signal-jamming devices, tools for bypassing security systems, and equipment for reprogramming control units were found in his car. According to police, the two are responsible for 21 successful thefts and seven failed attempts. The total value of the stolen vehicles amounts to approximately 500,000 euros. The stolen cars were immediately sent to Bratislava, where the local criminal police provided active assistance. Following a decision by the Viedenské Nové Mesto prosecutor’s office, both suspects were sent to a pretrial detention center. The older of the two has already pleaded guilty.
This case demonstrates that modern car thieves use high-tech methods, such as amplifying the signal from a key fob, to unlock and start a car in a matter of seconds. Organized crime groups often smuggle expensive stolen cars across borders, which makes it very difficult to recover them.
How can you protect your car?
To avoid trouble, follow a few simple safety rules:
- Choose safe places to park. Always park in well-lit and crowded areas. At hotels, use secure parking lots.
- Always lock your car. Even if you’re stepping away for just a minute to run into a store, lock the doors. Thefts often happen very quickly.
- Hide your valuables. Don’t leave phone mounts, cables, bags, or other items in plain sight that might suggest there are valuables inside the car.
- Don’t hide spare keys. Never leave a spare car key outside or inside the car.
- Stay alert on the road. Keep your doors locked while driving in slow-moving traffic or at stops.
Stay up to date on the latest news and tips regarding safety and life in Slovakia—read our latest news.
Source: Ground News
