Toyota RAV4 thefts in Hradec Králové linked to organized crime

Police in Hradec Králové are warning Toyota RAV4 owners following a series of nine vehicle thefts occurring within a three-day period. Investigators believe an organized criminal group is responsible for the thefts, which involve sophisticated methods to bypass factory security systems.

According to Magdaléna Vlčková of the Hradec Králové Regional Police Directorate, perpetrators are able to enter vehicles almost silently and immediately disable all factory security features, including the integrated GPS tracking systems. This prevents authorities from locating the stolen vehicles, which are reportedly being transported to Poland.

The estimated damages from these thefts amount to approximately eight million Czech koruna. Police recommend that owners install independent security measures, such as mechanical steering wheel locks, brake pedal locks, or aftermarket tracking devices that operate independently of the factory-installed systems, as these have successfully aided in recovering vehicles in the past.