Officials Say Thieves Are Exploiting a Rear-Window Alarm Flaw and Targeting Luxury SUVs and Trucks
Los Angeles Airport Police are urging holiday travelers to take extra precautions after a recent rise in vehicle thefts reported in parking garages and lots surrounding LAX, as reported by ABC 7 Eyewitness News.
According to airport police officials, thieves have been targeting newer, high-end vehicles and exploiting a vulnerability in certain models: breaking a rear window without triggering the alarm. Investigators say the trend has surfaced across several of the airport’s large parking structures, where thousands of vehicles rotate daily.
Undercover officers report that thieves have recently focused on models such as Dodge TRXs, Chevrolet Yukons, GMC Denalis, Cadillac Escalades, and Jeep Rubicons. While police emphasize that thefts are not surging at an extreme rate, the numbers have climbed steadily. Airport data shows 138 vehicle-theft cases so far this year, compared to 111 during the same period in 2024 and 67 in 2023.
Authorities recommend travelers park as close as possible to security cameras throughout LAX’s parking facilities. They note that surveillance footage has been critical in recent investigations, including a catalytic-converter theft captured by a garage camera last weekend.
Officials say they will continue increasing patrols during the holiday travel season and encourage anyone who witnesses suspicious activity to report it immediately.
