mrfixit
Chief Chaotic Engineer
Hundreds of Ford trucks have been stolen from north Texas and Police say certain models are being targeted more than others.
Many Ford trucks, vans and SUV's use a passive anti-theft key also known as PATS key system. These keys prevent someone from copying your key to a blank and using the blank. There is a small chip in the key which the vehicle must recognize before it will start.
FORD says that type of key helps deter thieves.
Most heavy-duty Ford trucks don't have the chip, and are becoming the main target for vehicle thieves.
Many Dealerships have had to hire security to come and take care of the car lot every night, and even then still have a problem.
Police Department Officials says it's a crime that they're trying to develop as much intelligence about as they can to help counteract the problem.
Ford F-150's are the only Ford Trucks that come with a factory installed PATS system, Ford F-250's and up don't have them,so it seems to make it a little bit easier for the thieves to steal them.
Just in the month of April, six-hundred trucks have been stolen in Houston, TX, and most of them end up crossed into Mexico.
There are several groups that concentrate in commercial areas and there are others that concentrate in residential areas, but the auto theft problem is serious enough for one car lot that thieves stole five cars in one evening alone.
While Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep products that are being very popular in Mexico right now, and those are the type of vehicles that Theives are taking from the border, The problem with stolen super-duty Ford Trucks seems to be progressing northward, and into adjoining states as well.
Car thieves have gone as far as running over Mexican customs agents like in a recent case at the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge. Authorities say organized auto-theft gangs go as far as trying to attack law enforcement officers in order to try to escape.
Authorities recommend the use of certain anti-theft devices like an ignition kill switch, fuel kill switch, a visible steering wheel lock or even a vehicle tracking device.
Many Ford trucks, vans and SUV's use a passive anti-theft key also known as PATS key system. These keys prevent someone from copying your key to a blank and using the blank. There is a small chip in the key which the vehicle must recognize before it will start.
FORD says that type of key helps deter thieves.
Most heavy-duty Ford trucks don't have the chip, and are becoming the main target for vehicle thieves.
Many Dealerships have had to hire security to come and take care of the car lot every night, and even then still have a problem.
Police Department Officials says it's a crime that they're trying to develop as much intelligence about as they can to help counteract the problem.
Ford F-150's are the only Ford Trucks that come with a factory installed PATS system, Ford F-250's and up don't have them,so it seems to make it a little bit easier for the thieves to steal them.
Just in the month of April, six-hundred trucks have been stolen in Houston, TX, and most of them end up crossed into Mexico.
There are several groups that concentrate in commercial areas and there are others that concentrate in residential areas, but the auto theft problem is serious enough for one car lot that thieves stole five cars in one evening alone.
While Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep products that are being very popular in Mexico right now, and those are the type of vehicles that Theives are taking from the border, The problem with stolen super-duty Ford Trucks seems to be progressing northward, and into adjoining states as well.
Car thieves have gone as far as running over Mexican customs agents like in a recent case at the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge. Authorities say organized auto-theft gangs go as far as trying to attack law enforcement officers in order to try to escape.
Authorities recommend the use of certain anti-theft devices like an ignition kill switch, fuel kill switch, a visible steering wheel lock or even a vehicle tracking device.
