SAN DIEGO — California has expanded a law to crack down on the sophisticated devices thieves use to steal vehicles and break into buildings, marking a shift in how the state combats evolving auto theft methods.
Assembly Bill 486 makes it a misdemeanor to possess devices such as key programmers, key duplicators, or signal extenders when there is intent to steal a vehicle or break into a building. Possessing the devices themselves is not illegal—the intent to commit theft is what matters under the law.
“Over the last few years, we’ve seen a change in the way people steal vehicles,” said Esteban Hernandez, Public Information Officer for the California Highway Patrol. “They’re no longer punching the windows and getting into that ignition. Now, they’ve got these programmers that pretty much allow them to duplicate a key fob from a distance.”…