How To Prevent Burglars From Stealing The Things Inside Your Truck

Whether in broad daylight or late at night, it will only take a few minutes for thieves to steal something from your pickup truck. If you park your vehicle in the open, burglars will have a bigger chance to run off with your valuables—or worse, steal it entirely.

Sometimes, locking up your vehicle is not enough to ward off the burglars. Let us explore what you can do to help keep things safe inside your truck.

Targeting the pickup trucks

Pickup trucks are one the most popular vehicles in the United States. As more consumers buy them, criminals have developed more interest in them. Over the recent years, more and more states and cities in the country are experiencing a spike in vehicle theft. This law-breaking has always been a problem of the police force.

Famous destinations like Las Vegas and states like California, Colorado, and Oklahoma have issued public statements regarding the growing burglary and vehicle theft cases. A published article from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) in October 2021 says that Ford full-size pickup trucks are the top target in their Top 10 list of most stolen vehicles in the United States.

At least 15 of the stolen trucks in Las Vegas alone are identified as Ford’s F-Series models. In addition, truck models such as the Ram and Chevy Silverado are targeted in other major cities in the country.

In Kerrville, Texas, thieves had stolen multiple brand-new trucks in just one day. According to the police, the suspects looted all valuables inside the vehicles, including firearms (which they can sell at a hefty price in the black market).

Stolen truck parts

In North Las Vegas, the police confirmed that the theft cases are growing. At least 250 reported vehicles were stolen between December 2020 and January 2021. Among the missing cars, the top target of thieves is the pickup trucks.

These days, bandits do not always choose brutal ways to steal from any vehicle. Smashing the windows is old news. According to Insurance Information Institute (III), lawbreakers can now steal cars using hacked smart keys. They also switch the Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) to avoid detection.

Moreover, a KTNV report claimed that burglars target pickup trucks to sell the parts for easy cash. Expensive truck performance upgrades like catalytic converters have several precious metals inside them. The prices of those metals have skyrocketed during the pandemic.

Truck parts for easy cash

According to the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators (IAATI), selling stolen catalytic converters and other truck accessories and parts seems less risky but more profitable than selling drugs. Thieves can also sell the vehicles they have stolen for a better price due to the increasing costs of secondhand cars.

IAATI also discovered that some recyclers, processors, and smelters turn a blind eye since they only face “little scrutiny” on buying stolen catalytic converters. In California, the Business and Professions Code requires recyclers who buy used converters to keep records on the VIN and the seller’s details of catalytic converters. The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the local law enforcement can also require the code, but it’s not consistently imposed.

Bandits get the wheels, tires, tailgates, and other expensive truck upgrades because there's always a market for them. NICB explained that the professional theft ring strips the parts of their target vehicles. Selling the stolen parts was a lucrative business and a quick way to make bucks.

Every year, the price of brand-new automobiles increases. Even the aftermarket truck accessories and parts of today's cars and trucks are often worth more than the price of the OE pieces.

Cracking down vehicle thieves

Due to the rising theft rate, the local law enforcement and San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office launched a new approach. Since the start of the pandemic, they have tried to prevent the surge in vehicle thefts. Truck owners can get their license plate number etched into the catalytic converters to deter burglars from stealing them.

Detaching a catalytic converter in a vehicle may seem complicated, but in reality, the crooks can cut it off a car in just a few minutes. The stolen part can be sold on the black market for as little as 50 bucks to more than a grand. They can get instant cash per converter sold, but the truck owners shell out thousands of dollars in repairs.

The DA and local police teamed up to stop the criminals and their transactions to sell the nicked parts. They go after the individuals who crawl under the vehicle and take away the valuable pieces by working together. It will also include those who receive the stolen property, as they profit from it and sell it back out to the regular car market or even the black market.

Preventing theft

You can do these preventive measures to keep your pickup truck safe from outlaws:

Install a reliable car alarm

You can find a lot of anti-theft devices that you can use for your pickup. It helps prevent theft attempts because the loud sound will surprise the shady individual near your automobile.

Car tracking device installation

It can track your vehicle and log all the location information of your truck. To help prevent any robbery attempt, it accurately records the vehicle’s itinerary in detail. Tracking devices have built-in GPS to give you up-to-the-minute location updates if it goes missing.

Install truck accessories

To help you assemble and sort your things, you can install truck cargo management products such as:

• Sliding drawers and trays
• Bed basket
• Under-seat storage
• Truck bed toolbox with lock
• Lockable tonneau cover
• Tailgate swing case

If burglars see high-priced items when they peek at the window, your vehicle will be a potential target. Removing any valuable items in plain sight is strongly recommended. Whenever you leave some belongings inside the cab or bed of the truck, they are exposed to corrosive elements, and anyone can steal them without hassle. These storage solutions provide security for your items.

Vigilance is crucial to ensure the security of your vehicle. Although some crooks can still do force entry, the police department recommends owners always lock their cars at all times. Be proactive in securing your vehicle to avoid inconvenience and costly repairs. Stay alert, and if you notice anything suspicious, call the police immediately.