One lucky larcenist in Watchung, New Jersey is pressing his luck. Watchung police are reporting three separate occurrences of GPS devices being looted from vehicles while parked at shopping centers. Two of the robberies occurred in broad daylight, at a Target and Home Depot, respectively. In a very backwards manner, the robberies express the increasing value of vehicle GPS devices.

 

Why Just Take the GPS?

In all honesty, it was probably easy. GPS devices are moderately easy to resell on Ebay or at local flea markets. If the vehicle does not have a proprietary GPS device, then it is likely easy to remove from the vehicle. The trick is getting into the vehicle and getting out again, in the middle of a parking lot. It is likely that the thief (there may be multiple thieves, but this patterned larceny suggests one perpetrator) scoped out the parking lot, waited until the owner of the vehicle disappeared into the store, then made quick work of the vehicle. It is extremely curious that the perpetrator has gotten away with the theft three times in a five day span.

 

GPS Integrated Vehicles

GPS devices are becoming increasingly integrated into the dashboard of the vehicles themselves, making them far more difficult to remove. Integrating these devices completely into the vehicle makes it much easier to protect the value of the vehicle and the value of the investment. It’s easy not to keep all the expensive stuff in a vehicle visible: you pocket your iPhone, you slip the iPad or laptop under your seat, you take what valuables you can with you, and hide the rest in the trunk.

 

It’s just not that easy with GPS devices, however. They need to be mounted above the dashboard. These computer devices must be accessible by the driver. They must be available. They must be separate. They must be obvious. This makes them prime targets for speed-thieves who want to make a quick buck on reselling stolen electronics.

 

Protect Your Investment

The GPS thief of Watchung, New Jersey has yet to be captured. However, the very act of these thefts highlights the need for GPS device owners to protect their investment with a car alarm, etc. Keeping your vehicle, and that GPS, safe makes for safe and happy travels.