Truck stolen - multiple attempts - what to do?

Hi All,

A few weeks ago, my 2023 Access Cab TRD Offroad was stolen - 3 days after I got it back from having the handle repaired from a previous (botched) theft attempt. The thieves stole it, tore off the rooftop antenna (to disable onboard tracking) and parked it in an apartment building parking lot. That way, they can wait and see if it has third party tracking before taking it somewhere that would expose them. Entertainingly enough, they actually installed a Club on the wheel when they parked it - they didn't want anyone to steal their new truck.

Luckily, I had a airtag installed inside with the speaker disabled, so we were able to retrieve the vehicle just a few hours after it was stolen.

For context - live in Montreal and we have a lot of organized crime related car thefts - with vehicles that are just dropped into shipping containers and shipped overseas. Other than the antenna, there was no damage so it seems like they were able to copy my key.

Anyway, I'm now in a position where I can't enjoy my truck. It just feels like a burden.

I got a faraday box for my keys, but I live in the city without a driveway so I have to park on the street - so lights/cameras aren't an option. My understanding is that a Club isn't going to stop any professional criminals as they can be defeated by just cutting the steering wheel.

Does anyone have any advice for other techniques I can use to get some peace of mind?

 

You said camera isn’t an option. May I ask why? Dash cam (some with 360 degree recording) that auto upload to a cloud storage while the car is off. If you’re worrying it might drain your starting battery, get a secondary battery? I haven’t seen any dash cam that drain your battery overnight yet.

 

When I said cameras weren't an option, I meant a security camera / lights that would make the truck a less attractive target.

As far as what you suggested - I actually have one. That might work to catch a thief, but it won't help deter theft. They actually won't even pursue car theives here. Zero investigation on the theft of my truck.

 

Can always wire up a hidden kill switch or go for some kind of aftermarket alarm / immobilizer. Won't stop them from getting into it but might stop them driving off.

 

Trunk Monkey.

 

Wow. Does your dash cam show the thief’s face? Or show the license plate of the thief’s car (if any)?
If nothing, how can they investigate if they have nothing to start on? It really sucks OP.

My coworker’s brand new truck, the thief got 4wheels & the bed. They use a torch to cut and floor Jack to lift the truck up for the wheels.

 

Nothing definitive - it's a reasonably well lit / well travelled street and this happened on a Tuesday night so they wore masks - didn't get a vehicle.

As far as pursuit, the cops said that the conviction rate is so low that they don't have enough incentive to go after it. Their only move would have been to put a lojack on my truck, leave it where it was, and then try to intercept the thieves when they pick it up - before they got it on a boat for the Middle East/Africa. Basically they have to catch them red handed and immediately apprehend them for it to be worth it. I had too much stuff in the truck to risk them not being successful. Ultimately, this was organized so even if they catch these thieves, the relative risk to me doesn't change.

 

I'd start with a kill switch. And an obnoxiously loud alarm. People don't react to them much anymore, but thieves / vandals will still run away from them.

If you don't have a camera, get one that has the bump activation and a pre-roll for recording, meaning that they keep 15 or so seconds of video prior to the activation of the alarm.

A lot of local departments don't investigate auto theft unless it's a car jacking. Any chance of relocating to a place with secured parking?

 

Belgain Malinois Alarm system for overnight protection.
Not mine


Mine

 

Kill switch

 

An aftermarket alarm system hooked up to a train horn. In theory, you could hook up the train horn to the door switch so any time a door was opened it'd go off and then just install a switch to kill the horn under the truck. The more attention you can draw as soon as they open the car the better. You could always pull some relays or fuses or install a kill switch to ensure your truck can't drive away but they still might break in.

 

Where would you cut/splice a wire for the kill switch? I put a switch on the starter line of my old Honda, but that was a long time ago. Not sure where the best place on a 3rd gen Taco would be.

 

Thermonuclear bomb.

If I suffer, everyone suffers.

 

place work boots & job applications on the seat?

 

As long as it's not a manual that would be a safe option.

 

I have to agree. My dutch shepherd is great at this as well.

 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Rx6WB5YJia8&pp=ygUYdHJ1bmsgbW9ua2V5IGNvbW1lcmNpYWxz

Check your jurisdictions laws before installation.

 

I would put 2 kill switches, one on the fuel pump side and one on ign. A regular switch hidden and I'd get a factory switch like fog lights or whatever and leave that in plain sight as the secondary switch. Alarm might help, cameras in plain sight so they know its being watched also sounds stupid but chain the wheel to the frame or something just to make it a hassle, obviously use a good lock.

 

No offense to this, I understand it’s not that simple, but if you reach the point where this is necessary, please move.

 

I’m sorry for your troubles OP, hope you find a solution. I agree with others on the kill switch.