Mercedes stolen using 'relay devices' in mere seconds

The thieves were able to open the car without needing a key

Two men in hoodies were able to steal a Mercedes parked outside a house near Birmingham using relay devices.

“The devices are capable of receiving signals through walls, doors, and windows, but not metal,” says the police.

The police have released a video that shows two men stopping outside a house in the Elmdon area of Solihull where a Mercedes is seen being stolen.



The man standing near the house door gets a signal on the box from the key inside and transmits that signal to the second box held near the car.

This gadget used to override the security of the car is raising a few questions which put such high-end cars at a larger risk of being stolen.

Go old skool, crook lock. I'd pass one with a lock over the neighbours one without. Turn off the microwave and throw your keys in at night. Shame it's come to this.

— Mairead (@mairead_evans) November 28, 2017

"To protect against this type of theft, owners can use an additional tested and Thatcham-approved steering lock to cover the entire steering wheel,” stated Mark Silvester, West Midlands Police crime reduction team.



Since the car did not require a key to unlock or start the engine, thieves were able to simply manipulate the technology to their own benefit.

The technology used for high-end cars may expose them to greater risks than what a car needing a physical key to function would face.

The car has still not been recovered nor have the men been caught.