Chicago police are warning Lakeview and Uptown residents about a surge in auto thefts involving locked, parked vehicles, as a series of thefts on the North Side began almost exactly when a similar pattern in Fulton Market and West Town ended.
In a community alert issued Tuesday, police said thieves had “entered” the vehicles before stealing them but did not explain how they gained access or started the cars. The wording suggests the vehicles were driven away rather than towed, although CPD has not confirmed how the thefts were carried out.
The alert echoes one issued for Fulton Market and West Town two weeks ago. That warning identified a series of thefts between October 1 and October 13. The new alert says the North Side thefts began October 12 and continued through this week. The two patterns, then, overlap by just one day. CPD has not said whether the same people are responsible for both series or whether the apparent shift in locations is coincidental.
One possibility is the use of electronic key-programming devices, which police believe are contributing to a renewed rise in auto thefts across Chicago. However, CPD has not said whether such equipment was used in any of the 19 thefts identified in the two alerts.
The devices are legitimate tools used by locksmiths and automotive professionals. But their ability to create or program vehicle keys has also made them attractive to car thieves. Online listings for similar equipment advertise features such as frequency detection, “smart key creation” in as little as 60 seconds, and key programming for more than 700 vehicle models, including those made by Honda, Toyota, BMW, Volkswagen, and General Motors.
The technology represents a significant shift from the techniques associated with Chicago’s “Kia Boys” era, when thieves exploited a security vulnerability that allowed certain vehicles to be started with little more than a USB cable. Auto theft reports reached record levels in 2023 and 2024 amid that wave of thefts. Those thefts began declining in 2025, but auto thefts are rising again, up 5% citywide this year. Police are increasingly encountering thieves who can use electronic equipment to target a broader range of vehicles.
Still, key-programming devices do not necessarily allow thieves to steal any vehicle. Their effectiveness can depend on the vehicle’s security system, the availability of compatible equipment, and the operator’s skill. Autel, a manufacturer of automotive diagnostic and key-programming equipment, announced this year that it is adding security-validation protocols to some of its key and immobilizer products.
CPD identified the following locations and times in its North Side alert:
- 800 block of West Agatite Avenue on October 12 at 5:50 a.m.
- 600 block of West Roscoe Street on October 14 at 4 p.m.
- 600 block of West Lawrence Avenue on October 16 at 3:30 p.m.
- 4200 block of North Hazel Street on October 21 at 2:15 p.m.
- 700 block of West Sheridan Road on October 21 at 4 p.m.
- 800 block of West Buckingham Place on October 26 at 11:54 a.m.
- 800 block of West Newport Avenue on October 26 at 10 p.m.
- 3800 block of North Pine Grove Avenue on October 30 at 11:50 p.m.
- 3500 block of North Fremont Street on November 1 at 3 a.m.
CPD did not identify the makes or models of the vehicles reported stolen. Police recommend parking in well-lit areas, avoiding spots next to larger vehicles that could provide cover for thieves, installing a security or anti-theft system, and displaying a visible indicator that the vehicle is protected.
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