Milwaukee sees surge in car thefts with key reprogrammers

Milwaukee police are seeing more car thefts using special devices called key reprogrammers. These devices target cars with push-to-start ignition systems. Almost any car with this feature can be stolen, but Nissan cars are particularly at risk, with a 90% increase in thefts reported. Mario Moreno, a local resident, recently had his blue Dodge Charger stolen this way. He shared his frustration with TMJ4, noting he worked hard to buy the car. Despite parking it in front of his workplace to keep an eye on it, thieves still managed to steal it. Moreno described how one person drove away with his car while others used the key programmer to unlock it. After the theft, Moreno filed a report with the Milwaukee Police Department. They are currently investigating this rising trend. Sgt. Efrain Cornejo explained that thieves use key programmers, which can capture the signal from an owner's key fob, to break into and start vehicles. Moreno has not recovered his car, but he has seen it in the city several times. He feels hopeless about getting it back. The police report that at least 19 cars have been stolen using this technique in the last two months, and believe the numbers may be higher. To help prevent these thefts, police suggest some safety tips. They recommend buying a wheel lock, installing a kill switch in the ignition, and storing key fobs in tin foil to block signals. Moreno plans to follow these suggestions in the future. As car thefts rise, residents are encouraged to stay alert and take steps to protect their vehicles.