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High-Tech Gadget Used By Criminals To Break Into Cars

From New York to Los Angeles, law enforcement agencies said criminals are using a new high-tech gadget to gain full access to your car.

From New York to Los Angeles, law enforcement agencies said criminals are using a new high-tech gadget to gain full access to your car.

You can barely see it, but once the thief aims it at your car, it pops the lock electronically.

Now, some car owners in Central Ohio believe it's made its way here.

Victorian Village resident Harrison Hove says it might explain what happened to him.

"You get into your daily routine, locking your car is part of it," said Hove. "It's just so automatic that we don't even think about it."

Thieves stole his GPS, and other items stolen, and he couldn't figure out how.

"Once I realized that my car had been broken into, I walked around it, looked to see where they had broken in -- jimmy the door open or through the windshield. They didn't break anything," Hove said.

AAA spokesperson Bill Purpura said it's almost like the thieves are cloning your car remote.

"At the dealerships, for example, they have devices that they use to re-key keys for vehicles. It could be something like that. They could be using radio frequencies," said Purpura.

Adding to the mystery, police said the device works on some cars but not others.

Security experts recommend you assume the device is already in your neighborhood.

"It's not a matter of breaking a window anymore and you know it's not even setting the alarm of the car off," Purpura said. "So, you don't get the alarm, you don't get the lights, you know it's just boom the thieves are in your car, and bam all of a sudden all of your stuff is gone."

And, if the thieves can get into your car, they can get into your trunk.

Until police solve this mystery, they recommend not leaving any valuables in your car - anywhere.

"Whether the door is locked or unlocked, you know, someone can get to those values if they want them enough," Hove said.

AAA also cautions you not to leave garage door openers in your car, either.

Because then, not only is the thief in your car, now he has a way inside your house.

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