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Police Alert: Rise in Airbag Thefts

By
Industry Observer with Retired

Police Alert: Rise in Airbag Thefts

 

Authorities are urging people to lock their car doors and remain vigilant amid a rise in airbag thefts throughout Montgomery County, Maryland.

In a press release Monday, the Montgomery County Police Department said more than 90 airbags were stolen between Jan. 1 and April 30, 2021. During that same time period in 2020, there were approximately 18 reported airbag thefts.

The department says airbags are easy to steal and hide, portable, and are often sold on the black market.

"According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), a new airbag that retails for approximately $1,000 from a car dealer will cost $50 to $200 on the black market," police said. "These stolen airbags might be sold as new by a dishonest seller who will charge the customer or the insurance company the full price."

How can I help prevent my vehicle from being broken into?

 

Police advise people to:

  • Park their vehicle in a well-lit area
  • Lock their vehicle
  • Remove valuables from their vehicle or place them out of sight
  • Install a theft-prevention/steering wheel locking device
  • Purchase a car alarm  Gaithersburg Patch

 

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Posted by

Roy Kelley, Retired, Former Associate Broker, RE/MAX Realty Group

Gaithersburg, Maryland  

Show All Comments
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Good moring Roy - sounds like some people are getting their car parts from Midnight Auto.

May 18, 2021 03:40 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Oh my goodness, Roy... what will they think of next. If I sat here all day this would never have occured to me.

May 18, 2021 04:05 AM
Sham Reddy CRS
Howard Hanna RE Services, Dayton, OH - Dayton, OH
CRS

Thanks for shring Roy, that's a new one!

Authorities are urging people to lock their car doors and remain vigilant amid a rise in airbag thefts. Airbags are easy to steal and hide, portable, and are often sold on the black market.

May 18, 2021 04:15 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Roy. With many cars parts being in short supply, can understand how the dishonest may see a way to profit through theft. Enjoy your day and lock your car.

May 18, 2021 04:41 AM
Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

Great information.  Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful day!

May 18, 2021 04:56 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

Wow, this is the first that I am hearing about this sort of theft and I never imagined that would be easy to steal.

May 18, 2021 05:48 AM
Bill Salvatore - East Valley
Arizona Elite Properties - Chandler, AZ
Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net

Unbeievable, I guess everything has a value. Just NUTZ.    It's Tuesday so its TACO TIME.  Thanks for the post and enjoy your day.  Bill Salvatore 

May 18, 2021 05:57 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Roy - it has been a few years but I remember hearing of such robberies in our area as well.  More recently, I have seen reports of catalytic converter thefts.  The details may change but crime certainly exists when opportunity and motive combine.  

May 18, 2021 06:18 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Roy Kelley I know our car has airbags, but I have no idea where they are, and our wishes are to never use them...and we do lock our car.  A

May 18, 2021 06:52 AM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Roy,  i remember a old client you to take them out of junk cars and resell them.  Knew from a dealer they were expensive/

 

May 18, 2021 07:49 AM
Rocky Dickerson
Realty One Group - Las Vegas, NV
Superior Service!

Good morning Roy! Wow if they only put that crafty thinking into legitimate purposes, thay would be rich!

May 18, 2021 08:02 AM
faye schubert
Retired - Branson, MO
Living the Branson Lake Life

Wow, that is an interesting theft and expensive for the owner of the car.

May 18, 2021 08:41 AM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

Well who knew?  It seems like nothing is safe these days... but it's nice to know I can count on seeing beautiful flowers any time I read your posts.

May 18, 2021 04:31 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

I've not heard of airbags being stolen from cars.  Here in my area thieves seem to be focused on catalytic converters.

May 18, 2021 07:20 PM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Roy Kelley - Well, I'll be darn! If only people spent more time solving problems and worked for a living legitimately, they would be more respected and probably wealthier too. Maybe car manufacturers need to make a smart car that includes identity theft in progress to zap the thieves and automatically put thieves in handcuffs until the Police get there. 

May 18, 2021 09:34 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Your feedback is always welcome and is very much appreciated.

May 19, 2021 09:07 AM
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