Over 40 trucks stolen in just two weeks along the Highway 59 corridor. Roman Forest police say thieves are using a specific exploit.
ROMAN FOREST, Texas — The Roman Forest Police Department is warning residents about a surge in GMC Denali and Chevrolet Silverado thefts after more than 40 trucks were stolen in East Montgomery County over the past two weeks, with eight vehicles taken from the Tavola neighborhood alone.
Tech-savvy thieves are exploiting weaknesses in keyless entry systems using devices that clone key fob signals or reprogram keys through the vehicle’s OBD port, allowing them to steal trucks in under a minute by swapping ECUs or using cloned fobs, according to the police department’s Facebook post.
The thefts have particularly affected neighborhoods along the I-69/Highway 59 corridor in east Montgomery County. GMC Sierra models appear to be especially targeted in what has become a nationwide trend, with Texas experiencing particularly high theft rates.
The Roman Forest Police Department is working closely with the Montgomery County Auto Theft Task Force to solve current cases and prevent further thefts.
To protect their vehicles, the department recommends residents use aftermarket anti-theft devices such as steering wheel locks, kill switches and GPS trackers. Owners should also keep vehicles locked, remove key fobs from inside vehicles, and park in well-lit areas or garages whenever possible.
The police department also advises residents to get software updates from dealers to protect against the high-tech thefts and ensure home security cameras cover driveways, sidewalks and streets. Residents should know how to operate their cameras and download videos if needed.
Anyone who spots suspicious people or vehicles overnight should call dispatch immediately at 936-538-5900 option 2.
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