“Homejacking” is a particular form of luxury car theft. The perpetrators first break into the home or apartment of the vehicle owner and steal the car keys, which are often left in plain sight near the front door. They then use the keys to access the vehicle and bypass immobilizers and other security systems with ease before quickly driving away.

Homejacking appears to be on the rise. High-value vehicles are often monitored long before the burglary takes place, and the theft is usually carried out without leaving many traces—often while the homeowners are asleep. In 2013 alone, homejacking cost insurance companies an enormous amount in compensation payments: €242 million (Source: Stuttgarter Nachrichten, June 16, 2015). The German Federal Criminal Police Office has expressed concern about the chances of catching the perpetrators, as these crimes are typically committed by organized criminal groups carrying out commissioned thefts of luxury vehicles that are subsequently transported to Eastern Europe or Asia.

We at Amper Ausfperrdienst for Munich and the surrounding area are your experts when it comes to keys and the security of your property. We strongly advise against storing your car keys in easily accessible places within your home. In addition, we recommend the following precautions: Never leave your car key in the ignition, even if you are only leaving the vehicle for a short time. Always engage the steering wheel lock when parking your vehicle, and never leave valuables visible inside your car.