WADDELL, Ariz. — Michael Florant still can't believe what he saw through his Ring camera.
"I was mad," Florant said.
Earlier this week, his camera placed right above his driveway captured the moment two men with their faces covered walked up to his brand new 2022 Chevy SIlverado.
One of the men is seen carrying what appears to be an AK-47 and pointing it directly at the front door. The other suspect is seen using a device to unlock the front door, sit in the passenger seat, and then start the car — all without a key.
Florant said you can see that suspect with a tablet and he said he believes that's what was used to start the car and disable the alarm system.
Arizona State University professor Ozgur Ozmen is the lead investigator with university's Secure and Resilient Cyber-Physical Systems Laboratory and has done research on methods thieves use to steal modern-day cars.
Ozmen said any car that has a push-to-start button or keyless entry is susceptible to these thefts.
The professor explained that what these criminals do is once they get inside the vehicle they search for the car's Onboard Diagnostics plug in typically found near the steering wheel. Once it's located the thieves plug in their tablet or device.
"They can basically inject messages that can start the car, that can disarm the alarm system that can do basically, a wide range of attacks," Ozmen said.
It's a very quick process and while it sounds complicated Ozmen said anybody can do it because the technology needed can be purchased online or downloaded.
"They can actually follow those guidelines and conduct these attacks," Ozmen said.
While he can't say for certain how the thieves stole Florant's car, from what he's learned about that situation, he believes it's a real possibility.
The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office is still investigating this case. On Sunday, Florant said no arrests have been made and that OnStar hasn't been able to locate the vehicle.
When asked what can be done to protect your car from these attacks, Ozmen said drivers need to be sure they are updating their car's operating system. Manufacturers will release software updates to combat these thieves. However, Ozmen said after some time criminals will be able to bypass the new protections and still get in. Creating a back-and-forth match between the two.
"These are more targeted attacks that [thieves] know their software will be able to crack that vehicle," Ozmen said.
Ozmen also recommended that people install a GPS tracker on the car so if it does get stolen, people would still be able to locate the car.
However, the best method Ozmen said is one that has been around for decades, steering wheel locking devices. He said it should deter criminals from trying to steal your car but even if they do get inside, they won't be able to get away.
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