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Lexus thefts in Cologne: Police are looking for witnesses after the SUV robbery!
Unknown people stole two Lexus SUVs in Cologne-Lindenthal. Police are looking for witnesses and warn of security gaps in keyless systems.
Lexus thefts in Cologne: Police are looking for witnesses after the SUV robbery!
The Cologne police announced a double car theft over the weekend, causing a stir in the city. Unknown perpetrators grabbed two high-quality Lexus off-road vehicles and used a special scam. The Cologne police are now looking for witnesses who may be able to provide information about the crimes.
The first theft occurred on Friday evening, June 20th, when a gray Lexus NX350H was parked in Aachen Glacis, in the middle of Cologne city center, at around 8:30 p.m. The car owner finally noticed the loss on Monday morning, June 23rd. Interestingly, the GPS tracking of the vehicle showed that it was spotted just five hours after it was parked in a park-and-ride car park in Cologne-Marsdorf - a clear sign of the professionalized approach of the thieves, who can apparently act in no time with the help of modern techniques.
Second theft in Lindenthal
The second case relates to a black Lexus RX450H+ that was stolen from a company parking lot on Max-Planck-Straße in Cologne-Lindenthal. According to witness statements, the vehicle was still at the scene on Saturday morning, June 21st, but by Monday, June 23rd, it was gone. An employee noticed that the car was no longer there, which led to the theft being reported.
Both vehicles are equipped with so-called keyless go systems. This technology allows the car to be opened and started without a key, but it also poses security risks. As the ADAC reports, vehicles with such systems are easier to steal because car thieves can use special devices to extend the key's signals and thus gain unauthorized access. To put it very simply: the perpetrators no longer even have to come close to the key to steal the car. Almost all keyless cars tested could be stolen without much difficulty.
Prevention and safety
Cologne Crime Prevention therefore advises storing car keys from vehicles with keyless go systems in special protective cases or even tin cans to prevent unauthorized interception of radio signals. Other tips to increase safety include parking the vehicle in a locked garage and disabling the keyless system if possible.
The police ask anyone who has made any observations or can provide information about the thefts to call 0221 229-0 or email poststelle.koeln@polizei.nrw.de. The wind could quickly turn cold for the perpetrators if witnesses come forward and advance the search.