In what appears to be part of a concerning trend in vehicle thefts, two teenagers were slapped with cuffs in Fort Lauderdale for allegedly filching a 2012 Kia Optima using nothing more than a USB cable. These savvy thieves, both 15, are accused of hot-wiring the car in a method that's becoming all too common, as reported by NBC Miami.
The crafty duo reportedly manipulated the car's ignition by rigging a USB cable to the steering column, a devious override of modern vehicle security. Fort Lauderdale Police officials became aware of the heist shortly before noon on Tuesday. The car owner had reported the car stolen from the 900 block of Northwest 24th Avenue, according to Fort Lauderdale authorities.
Swift action led to the finding of the purloined sedan with support from a Broward Sheriff's Office helicopter. Police shared photos showing the makeshift electronic skeleton key that had been connected to the vehicle's steering column and ignition switch. The chase wasn't over, however, as the young suspects abandoned the stolen ride and fled into a home in the 900 block of Northwest 17th Avenue.
Fort Lauderdale police didn't let up, and the underage perps were nabbed inside the home, WSVN reports. Interviews at the scene led to three other individuals being questioned and released. The inventive but illegal use of common tech underscoring a brazen bypass of anti-theft measures, has spurred concerns among law enforcement and vehicle owners alike.
