I read all the headlines online everyday regarding garage doors and am surprised by the large amount of criminals that are taking advantage of this access portal into our homes. Especially to consider is where you place your garage door or security gate remote or clicker. Here is some excerpts courtesy of Door & Access Systems Magazine.
We would like to suggest to everyone that they keep their garage door remote controls locked up. We also have mini-remotes that are easily concealed and key ring remotes that you can always keep on you. Open garage door monitors also tell the homeowner the current status of their garage door.
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While You Sleep. An Indiana man admits involvement in 15 separate burglaries and crimes, confessing that he “used garage door openers in unlocked vehicles to gain access to garages while homeowners were sleeping.” WRTV-6 (Indianapolis, Ind.), May 1, 2008
The Break-In After the Break-In. Omaha police report, “We’re seeing a lot of (car) windows broken out. The glove box is ransacked and the garage door opener is taken.” Burglars get the home address from the car’s registration and then break into the home several days afterward. KETV-7 (Omaha, Neb.), May 1, 2008
Victims Shocked. “Garage Door Opener Thefts Shock Victims” is the title of this Charlotte, N.C., story. Thieves pop the lock assemblies on vehicles parked outside businesses, then they steal the GDO remote controls. Police believe thieves use registration cards and a GPS system to find the houses quickly. Charlotte (N.C.) Observer, March 28, 2008
Churchgoers Beware. This brazen thief hit four Texas church parking lots, broke windows of vehicles, and snatched the remotes. The thief is also suspected in “similar burglaries where garage door openers were taken from vehicles.” Midland (Texas) Reporter-Telegram, April 18, 2008
New Burglary Tool. The title of this Massachusetts story is, “Thieves’ New Tools: Garage Door Openers.” Police say, “There has been an increase in these (types of crimes) in surrounding towns, and we’re starting to see more and more here.” Lexington (Mass.) Minuteman, May 1, 2008
3 Cars, $100,000 Stolen. Nebraska police warn of a “new crime trend” in which “a group of men are stealing garage door openers from cars parked outside.” The break-in occurs days later when no one is home. One victim had three cars stolen and more than $100,000 in other losses. KMTV-3 (Omaha, Neb.), April 3, 2008
Police Issue Warning. After a spree of Missouri home burglaries, police warn, “If you park your vehicle outside, make sure you take your garage door opener inside.” Springfield (Mo.) News-Leader, May 18, 2008
Early Morning Hours. In Wisconsin, a rash of burglaries occurred in the early morning hours from April 26 to May 10. Police say, “Suspects enter unlocked vehicles and use the garage door openers to enter garages and residences.” Green Bay (Wis.) Press Gazette, May 10, 2008
Late-Night Assault. In this Connecticut case, the burglar targets a woman, not property. Police say a burglar grabbed a remote control from an unlocked car to get into a house at midnight and attack a woman inside. The Hartford (Conn.) Courant, Jan. 17, 2008
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