Relentless Thief Problem

I'm dealing with a really relentless situation here with the 2021 Taco, and I could use some help. I need to find a device or module that will automatically lock my doors after a certain period of inactivity, or some other solution. I've got ADHD, and remembering to lock my truck isn’t always my strong suit—this has led to a criminal getting into my truck numerous times, at least a dozen. It's beyond frustrating.

Please, before anyone says it: I know I can just "remember to tap the door handle" or "press the key fob" or "just make it a habit." Save it. Really. It’s not that simple, and I don't need a lecture about what I should be remembering to do. The point is, I need a solution that doesn't rely on my memory, because clearly, my brain doesn't work that way, and this situation isn't waiting for me to figure it out.

Over the years, this thief has stolen thousands of dollars worth of my belongings. Police do nothing. I have a security camera looking right at the drivers side door where I park, but the one night I needed it to catch the guy, a tiny spider web completely ruined the view, reflecting light and making the footage useless. And let’s be honest—these people wear hoodies and skimasks, and the camera is mostly deterrence that hasn’t worked.

I’ve already stopped leaving anything valuable in the truck, but this person is relentless. I want to catch this guy and get him behind bars where he belongs. If that’s not possible, at the very least, I want to be able to stop this from happening again. If I can't find a proper solution, I'll have no choice but to sell this truck and switch to something else that offers what I need—because I can't keep dealing with this.

I'm also considering something like a camera inside the cabin that doesn't rely on me remembering to change a battery, but ideally, I'd like to start with locks that actually work automatically.

So please, if anyone knows of a reliable device, module, or anything at all that can help me get my doors to automatically lock after I walk away, let me know. How hard can this be in 2024? I just need something that keeps the doors locked without me having to think about it.

Thanks in advance for any real advice.

 

Pretty much every aftermarket alarm I've had would lock the doors a couple of minutes after shutting the truck off. I'd stop at a local stereo shop and see about that. Maybe even just an aftermarket keyless entry system would do that without the alarm.

 

I'd go talk to a car alarm shop and see what they can come up with.

 

Hi, have you considered installing an aftermarket alarm? I used to have one on my Forester, and it would arm/lock the doors at a programmed time after I left/turned off the car. It also had a remote start option.

 

Seems like a solid solution.

Or move to a more friendly location.

 

What year, make/model Tacoma do you have?

I thought mine has a setting that lets you set it so the doors lock after a while but maybe I’m wrong.

 

Ah yes, 'just move somewhere else'—classic, insightful advice. You must have cracked the case, Sherlock. I'll just pack up my entire life, sell my house, and uproot everything because someone decided my truck is their personal rummage bin. Brilliant solution.

For your information, this is Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh. It's one of the more affluent, family-friendly neighborhoods in the city—good schools, low crime, and all that. But even here, apparently, someone thinks my truck is theirs to go through. So instead of throwing out useless one-liners, maybe try coming up with something that actually addresses the problem. Or, you know, just scroll on by if you've got nothing of value to add. Thanks for your groundbreaking contribution.

 

I know my 22 SR5 will lock automatically but only if I unlock it with the remote then don't open any of the doors. I guess it's for in case you inadvertently unlock the doors and don't notice it.

 

Once the bear knows where the food is, it will keep coming back.

I would install some industrial flood lights and put them on a motion sensor. I would also set the camera up to make noise (or buy a camera that makes noise, many models have siren mode). This still will not replace a garage, but it will help.

And then I would tape a bright yellow post-it-note to the inside of the driver's window so that I would see it every time when exiting.

 

Same thing happened to me. Went from a car with auto lock to a 3rd gen. Forgot to lock it. Thief stole my stuff in my driveway. I live in a farming town.

get a drone mobile system! They are fantastic

 

If you use the Toyota app, it’ll send your phone a notification if you forgot to lock the doors

 

i can sense your frustration. you're gonna get a ton of unsolicited advice that you are not asking for. zero doubt. i probably wouldnt take it out on them.

i kinda suffer from the same thing. my "duh" is my garage door. i had to work out a routine that gets me to remember it. or at least remember to check that i did it.

i hate aftermarket alarms. they have always seemed to eventually create a electrical problem. usually in the form of a dead battery from parasitic draw. my car door can be a problem since our other car has a "walk away locking system". i have to remember what i am driving. i hope you find a solution soon. thieves suck.

 

OK dude, you should probably chill a little. Nobody here stole your shit (at least not that we know of), you bought the truck without this feature, and many have immediately chimed in with what should have been an obvious solution that is less extreme than selling the truck.

 

that's right!!! will this work OP?

 

I would totally put one of these two things in it. Maybe the skull tied to something inside so he can't take it and run. My buddy's wife wants to hang one of these decorations over their garbage can to scare the bear off that frequently raids it.

$19 Liberty Imports Sound Activated Skull with Light Up Eyes and Creepy Sounds - Halloween Party Prop Spooky Decoration for Haunted House, Indoor Decor

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NY956NU

$20 PIR Motion Sensor Activated Sound Player Speaker with USB Cable, Download Your own MP3 Audio Files to Play Speech, Music or Sound Effects (White)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09NNK8FCB

 

Re: all the replies above about stereo and alarm shops.

An option to consider, just be very warry the quality and workmanship of places like that. I cant count how many threads Ive read over the years of various electrical problems caused be shoddy aftermarket alarm systems. Especially in 3rd gens.

 

Look, I get it—you're probably right that I need to chill. But after years of dealing with this, it's hard to stay calm when you're the one repeatedly losing your stuff. And sure, maybe this truck doesn't have the feature, but that doesn’t mean I can’t want it or that I should be fine with it just because it wasn't included.

I appreciate the advice that’s been given, and I do realize there are steps I can take that don’t involve getting rid of the truck. But put yourself in my shoes for a moment. When you're trying to keep it together, and someone keeps helping themselves to your things, it feels like there's nothing more extreme than doing whatever it takes to put a stop to it. I just want a solution that doesn’t rely on a routine that clearly isn’t working for me.

To those who’ve offered genuine solutions, I really do appreciate the help. I’m just looking for something that actually works long-term.

 

Have you seen memento?

 

After dozens of break-ins, thousands of dollars in property stolen... And leaving nothing of value in the truck has proven useless, it is clear this thief is bound and determined to continue breaking in for the sheer thrill of it. He even went to the length of training a pet spider to thwart your security camera!!

Because this thrill seeking crazed spider wrangling thief is clearly not stopping this leaves you only one solution. Trap a fully grown mountain lion in your truck. The next time your thief breaks in, the overload of adrenaline and fear your thief will experience when he meets 200lbs of angry cougar will satisfy thrill cravings for years to come leaving your truck untouched for the foreseeable future.

 

Aftermarket alarms only option .