Audio and video technology is improving so much that many cars and sport utility vehicles are becoming rolling media rooms.
But the expensive radios, CD and DVD players and navigation systems are also in big demand in North Texas by burglars.
Some vehicle burglars have become so brazen, they videotape their break-ins and display them on the Internet.
Kristy Robinson knows how destructive these thieves are. They smashed into her SUV one night.
"I heard the dog barking; I came out, and they were still in the car sawing this out," she said. "They had gotten the TV, DVD player and a PlayStation."
Robinson is not alone. Across North Texas, burglars regularly break in to high-end vehicles.
With technology like chips or electronic keys, stealing a vehicle can be much more difficult. So thieves are increasingly settling on the expensive accessories instead.
J.R.'s Custom Auto in Irving does repair work, and John Boyd sees the burglary damage daily. "[They] ripped the dash apart, stole the radio out of it, took the navigation out of the vehicle, ripped the console apart to get the CD changer out of it," he said.
And don't forget the headrest monitors that were also removed. The total repair job for this vehicle was about $15,000.
Electronics manufacturers are adding security features to DVD and CD players, radios and GPS systems consumers should know about.
Some units now require a code from the owner to function. Other models offer a detachable faceplate; take it with you and the gadget doesn't work.
Manufacturers hope thieves learn that these accessories are worthless without the codes or critical parts, and the demand for them will evaporate.
But in upscale communities like Southlake, with its expensive cars, people can do a lot to help themselves.
"A lot of the burglaries that we see are out of cars either parked on the street on the driveway," said Southlake police Officer Mike Bedrich. ""Unfortunately, they're left unlocked."
Police recently arrested 17-year-old Evan Blakeley of Dallas after linking him and another teen with up 20 vehicle burglaries.
The pair told police that Southlake is an easy target for expensive items in cars.
Police and insurance agents offered these suggestions:
• Lock your vehicle
• Avoid parking on the street
• Install motion alarms that go off if glass breaks
• Take out extra insurance coverage for gadgets
Kristy Robinson learned her lesson the hard way. "I park it in the garage every single night now," she said.
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"Auto gadgets attract thieves", well DUH!!!
