lets_go_4running
New member
Because....? I definitely want mine back. I just called the dealer, he told me to expect to wait a year if I want another TRD Pro
My 2020 TRD Pro 4runner stolen by organized crime for resale in Africa
- Thread starter lets_go_4running
- Start date
Because....? I definitely want mine back. I just called the dealer, he told me to expect to wait a year if I want another TRD Pro
ElectroBoy
Banned
OP Here.... ARrrrrg! Was stolen again this morning around 6:30am
Something tells me I won't be getting it back. If anyone sees a green TRD Pro in Montreal with a Thule box on top of the stock TRD Pro rack, check the license plate and please call 911, it's probably mine. Getting a Thule on the stock rack was no easy feat, and I doubt anyone else in town has done it.
Here are 2 pics, the first one showing the Thule roof box, the 2nd one with the box drawn on:
WTF happened?
Same type of attack?
Did you do any preventative measures like disabling the fob, putting it in a faraday bag/box/foil, OBD port disable, pull any fuses, or others?
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lets_go_4running
New member
Our smart keys were disabled (turn off) so boosting the signal was impossible. I thought that would be enough and that they would be lazy. But they were not, instead cops say this time they would have done an old fashioned break-in (physical dock lock compromised) then started the car (likely ODB) and that was it.
I can't help but blame myself. Police said if stolen cars are found, they almost always attempt to steal it again. I didn't know just how coveted the 4runner was on the stolen (foreign) market.
It turns out 4runners are around 10th or so down the list of most stolen cars in my area, but thinking about that, 4runners are MUCH LOWER down on the list in terms of most popular cars purchased... so if you have a (rare) 4runner, but it is still the 10th most popular car to steal... you have my problem today.
I know a thing or two about having a vehicle stolen
Over the years I have had five cars stolen.
Things that I have learned
1) Park in a garage
2) Your local tire dealer knows where you live.
3) tell no one about your performance mods.
4) Never Ever Valet your Vehicle, Never Ever
5) Avoid dealing with the dealership (Tech have sticky fingers)
6) Find a trusted Toyota independent Mechanic
7) No car wash or detailing Do it Yourself
8) Don't take it to the mall for shopping ( get a Uber)
Over the years I have had five cars stolen.
Things that I have learned
1) Park in a garage
2) Your local tire dealer knows where you live.
3) tell no one about your performance mods.
4) Never Ever Valet your Vehicle, Never Ever
5) Avoid dealing with the dealership (Tech have sticky fingers)
6) Find a trusted Toyota independent Mechanic
7) No car wash or detailing Do it Yourself
8) Don't take it to the mall for shopping ( get a Uber)
Something_Awesome
New member
Parking in a garage is definitely #1. The valet, tire shop, and mall tips are also great advice, especially the valet. I won't ever valet unless it's at my favorite hotel in Vegas. Vegas is far less risky because you can easily hold the hotel responsible since the valet wear the hotel's uniforms. They're basically employees, even if they aren't.
EddieV4runnin
New member
EddieV4runnin
New member
It’s a real shit hole now. I live in a nice neighborhood and they’ve broken into my 4Runner twice now in less than 2 months. What surprises me the most is that fact they didn’t break my windows or damage the lock cylinders. It’s like they had a freaking key to open it. The thing I hate the most is that the dirty bastard left his scent all over it. Damn homeless thieves are getting smarter and since they didn’t steal anything worth more than $950 they can’t do anything.
EddieV4runnin
New member
I work at a Hyundai dealer and a couple of months ago I came into work and there was an Elantra high centered in the front lot. Apparently they walked right up to cars with a box and started them in less than 10 seconds. They stole two Sonatas and a used Jeep.
Salvo Jimmy
Member
ElectroBoy
Banned
I wonder if during the first theft they had enough time to get all the info they needed to make a new key. Then they just had to find the 4R again and drive it away.
lets_go_4running
New member
The first time it was stolen 2 weeks ago when I got the car back, I had the keys reprogrammed. The 2nd time, they did not boost the key signals (they were turned off) but rather just broke into the car the old fashioned way (jam a screwdriver into the key hole) and then presumably used the ODB port to program new keys and/or just turn it on.
Insurance agent told me they have seen an steep increase in 4runner thefts. So did the tow truck guy. So did the loaner rental place. So did police. So did the dealership! They now park their own 4runners indoors!
Sadly, this might be the end of my love affair with 4runner until Toyota steps up their security game... The other option is to get an old beat-up looking one
PS if you're looking for some stolen 4runners, here's a nice site with many for sale (several from USA and Canada), including some at USD$125,000
https://jiji.ng/search?sort=price_desc&price_min=25000000&query=4runner&price_max=60000000 .. I see dealership stickers on some of them, license plates on others. Yay crime!
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Humble Leader
Senior Member
The first time it was stolen 2 weeks ago when I got the car back, I had the keys reprogrammed. The 2nd time, they did not boost the key signals (they were turned off) but rather just broke into the car the old fashioned way (jam a screwdriver into the key hole) and then presumably used the ODB port to program new keys and/or just turn it on.
Insurance agent told me they have seen an steep increase in 4runner thefts. So did the tow truck guy. So did the loaner rental place. So did police. So did the dealership! They now park their own 4runners indoors!
Sadly, this might be the end of my love affair with 4runner until Toyota steps up their security game... The other option is to get an old beat-up looking one
PS if you're looking for some stolen 4runners, here's a nice site with many for sale (several from USA and Canada), including some at USD$125,000
https://jiji.ng/search?sort=price_desc&price_min=25000000&query=4runner&price_max=60000000 .. I see dealership stickers on some of them, license plates on others. Yay crime!
damn, all of those are 2020 and 2021. aint no one looking for my 2012 I guess lol. are you going to try and see if they find it or is insurance going to give you the cash to buy a new vehicle? how long will they allow you to drive the rental?
nglayton
Senior Member
Oh thanks so much, I think you are nice too.
Something_Awesome
New member
So why not just remove the fuel relay every night? Put it in a ziploc bad with an Apple Tag just incase you lose it in your house/apartment. Should be highly effective.
Deimosphob
New member
Lucky your truck didn’t have this fate
lets_go_4running
New member
You're right. Hindsight is 20/20. I made a terrible assumption that the thieves were lazy and wouldn't bother stealing if they couldn't do a key fob boosting attack like they did the first time (my fobs were disabled the 2nd time).
Now everyone tells me now if they steal once, they will try again, because likely the low-level thief was already paid, and now "owes a vehicle". This is serious organized crime.
You said it right. I used to live in Belmont, which is also a nice neighborhood in the Bay Area. In 2019, on Labor Day, every single car on the street was broken into, including line. All opened with a remote. They stole stuff that couldn’t be traced, like sunglasses and jewelry but not laptops, etc. cops were clueless. Then a year later someone rammed into my car while it was parked on the street. Hit so hard that the license plate imprinted into my bumper. Filed a police report and sent pics with the license plate of the perpetrator. Never heard back from the cops. They just can’t do anything here.
Salvo Jimmy
Member
Could you not pull the starter fuse in the fuse box under the driver side dash??????
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