“Car hopping” or cruising a neighborhood, lot, or community for open vehicles is the latest in vehicle theft-related trends, and the results can be devastating. A recent Kingsport, Tennessee case resulted in 8 total suspects, nearly all of them minors, and $527,500 in stolen cars and firearms recovered.
Auto dealerships present an especially enticing target. The expensive inventory that needs to be kept outdoors and easily accessible for browsing clients- the service departments and potential for accessing goods left inside client vehicles kept for service- auto dealership owners and managers are more than familiar with the security issues their industry faces. In this Arrest of the Month video, see what happened when a car hopper chose a South Carolina dealership as a place to browse for targets, unaware that Stealth caught every move.
At 3:47 a.m., alert Stealth security professionals noticed an intruder walking onto the property of an auto dealership being monitored. The intruder could be seen walking between vehicles and testing car doors, looking for an opening. Operators immediately contacted local law enforcement and relayed the subject’s description and location. Officers arrived on site and were able to quickly locate and arrest the individual, removing them from the property and ultimately taking them to jail.
Help Protect Your Business from Threats with Proactive Security Measures
Whether it is a sophisticated ring of car thieves targeting your dealership or a simple crime of opportunity, vehicle inventory is always at some degree of risk. Proactive security measures can help reduce theft, burglary, vandalism, and other criminal activity at your dealership, while also helping to reduce liability risks for your bottom line.
Rather than relying on traditional security measures, like security guards who are limited in scope and vulnerable to attack, tiredness, and the inability to be in more than one place at a time, live video monitoring uses a combination of cutting-edge technology and human intelligence to monitor key areas throughout your property for suspicious activity as it happens. Operators can also sound onsite speakers at trespassers and unwanted afterhours visitors, alerting them that they’re being watched. In many cases, this alone is enough to send them running.
Typically, thanks to our ability to provide law enforcement dispatchers with live updates on suspects including descriptions, locations, and activity as the situation evolves, officers prioritize our calls are arrive on site quickly. Many times, as in the case above, they are able to make contact with suspects while they remain in the area and make the arrest.
If you’d like to learn more about how our customizable, proactive security solution can help improve security outcomes at your property while potentially saving you up to 60% on security costs, contact us now and arrange a free quote or consultation with a dealership security expert.
Texas Private Security License Number: B14187.
