Gone in 90 seconds
As dramatic CCTV shows Audi theft, warning on keyless cars 3
PEERING through the car showroom window, the man could pass for an innocent petrol head as he eyes up a £32,000 Audi.
But he is, in fact, a hi-tech car thief and within 90 seconds he and an accomplice had stolen the saloon using ‘key cloning’ technology.
Dramatic CCTV images show Kevin McAllister and his partner in crime use a scanner and transmitter to start the engine.
McAllister was jailed last week for 40 months for stealing the car – and police warned drivers of modern ‘keyless’ vehicles to beware the new breed of thieves using technology which can be easily bought on the internet.
The keyless system conveniently allows drivers to open and start
‘Keep keys a safe distance from doors and windows’
their cars without having to take the key out of their pocket. However, a weakness in the system also allows thieves – usually working in pairs – to break in.
One will hold a sophisticated portable transmitter within a few metres of the car’s electronic key. It relays the key signal to a device held next to the car by the second thief – which then opens and starts the vehicle.
McAllister, 35, a traveller from England with an extensive criminal record, stole the car in 2017 at the Arnold Clark showroom in Broxburn, West Lothian.
Last week, Livingston Sheriff Court was shown a CCTV image timed 21:24:58 in which McAllister is seen peering in at the bright red Audi. Another image timed 21:25:47 shows his accomplice breaking into the showroom.
A third photo timed 21:26:09 shows McAllister backing the car through a plate glass window before embarking on a 300-mile joyride with his partner in crime.
The stolen car was later found burned out near Bolsover, Derbyshire. The serial offender was caught when police in England recognised him from CCTV of the incident that had been circulated by Police Scotland. His accomplice has not been identified.
McAllister had previous convictions for dangerous driving while disqualified, possessing an imitation firearm with intent to threaten a family, and burglary and theft.
Sergeant Vince Hughes of Police Scotland said: ‘Relay thefts, where technology is used to scan the signal for keyless cars, is a tactic we are aware of. The public can prevent these crimes by ensuring vehicle keys are not easily accessible. Keeping keys a safe distance from doors and windows also helps prevent them being scanned.’
Other precautions include keeping keys in a tin or a signal-blocking ‘Faraday Bag’ lined with layers of metallic ‘barrier’ material.