'Gone in 60 seconds': Police warn residents about thefts targeting high-performance vehicles
BENSALEM, Pa. (WPVI) -- Police in Bensalem are warning residents about an uptick in car thefts, especially high-end vehicles, after a Bensalem man's Dodge Charger was stolen from his driveway in less than a minute.
The thieves are also going after some popular mainstream models from Honda, like the Accord, Civic and CR-V.
Surveillance video captured the theft around 5 a.m. Saturday on Stratton Drive. Police said three suspects quietly pushed the vehicle out of the driveway in neutral before starting it farther down the street to avoid alerting the homeowners.
It's literally gone in 60 seconds.
Jorge Cervantes said he was stunned after reviewing the footage.
"Watched back that video, I was like, 'Oh my God.' I was in shock because of the quickness of these professionals," Cervantes said.
According to Bensalem Township Public Safety Director William McVey, the suspects appeared highly organized.
"In under one minute, they're able to deactivate the alarm system, break into the car and push it onto the street. And then once they get down the street, they're able to actually override the key fob system and steal the car and flee our township," McVey said.
Police said one suspect acted as a lookout while another broke the rear window and entered the vehicle. The third suspect disabled the alarm system and helped push it down the block before it was started.
McVey said investigators believe the home was specifically targeted because of the vehicle.
"They are very skilled at what they're doing. It appears that residence was targeted for this specific car," he said.
Cervantes said his son had woken up early that morning for work around 4:45 a.m., but he told him to go back to sleep.
"Luckily, he went back to bed because if he would've went outside, he would have confronted them pretty much, and it could've been bad," Cervantes said.
Police said license plate readers later tracked the suspects getting onto I-95 South, and investigators believe they left the township within five minutes of the theft.
Cervantes said the stolen 2021 Dodge Charger was specially ordered and nearly paid off.
"I bought the car brand new in 2021. I ordered it special and now it's gone. I had only 10,000 to pay; it was almost paid off. Now I gotta restart this whole process," he said.
As of Wednesday, the vehicle had not been recovered.
"Still haven't found it," Cervantes said.
Authorities said thefts involving high-performance vehicles such as Dodge Chargers and Challengers have been increasing in the area. McVey said Bensalem has seen about a 15% increase in vehicle thefts compared with the same time last year.
"These high-end cars, we believe they're stealing them for parts. They're re-VINing them, selling them on the street illegally, so my message is just take every precaution you can to protect your property," McVey said.
Police are urging residents not to confront thieves.
"Don't go out and try to stop them," McVey said. "You might wanna hit your alarm, make some noise, yell out the window, but there's a good chance criminals like this are armed and they're not afraid to use dangerous means to continue their crime."
Investigators recommend storing key fobs away from doors, using signal-blocking pouches, installing steering wheel locks and parking vehicles inside garages when possible.
