In East Memphis, a group of armed thieves attempted to steal a car from a driveway, only to be thwarted by a device that has become increasingly popular among car owners: the kill switch. The entire incident was captured on surveillance footage, showing the thieves pointing guns at the house while they tried to start the car.
However, despite their efforts, the thieves were unable to get the car started, thanks to the kill switch that had been installed by the car’s owner.
The incident occurred in June when Justin Mills, the car’s owner, was at home. The surveillance footage reveals that two of the thieves attempted to start the car, while two others kept their guns trained on the house, presumably to deter anyone inside from interfering.
After numerous unsuccessful attempts to start the vehicle, the thieves resorted to pushing it out of the driveway and down the street. According to Mills, they managed to push the car half a mile away before abandoning it in a nearby neighborhood. Fortunately, the next day, Mills was able to recover his car with only minor damage.
Mills attributes the failed theft to the kill switch he had installed in his car two years prior. “The kill switch is the number one thing that I would put on my car,” Mills said, emphasizing its effectiveness in preventing theft. He added that he now plans to install kill switches in all his vehicles to avoid any similar incidents in the future.
Header: The Rise of Kill Switches Amid Increasing Car Theft
The case of Justin Mills is not an isolated one. With the rise in car thefts across Memphis—nearly 7,000 vehicles have been reported stolen this year alone, according to the Memphis Police Department—many car owners are turning to advanced anti-theft measures like kill switches to protect their property.
Carl Anderson, a technician from Lee’s Custom LEDs and Designs, installed the kill switch in Mills’ car. Anderson has been installing these devices for about a decade, but he notes that demand has surged recently, largely due to the increase in car thefts in the Mid-South region. “I went from a handful of clients a week to dozens of clients a week,” Anderson said, highlighting the growing awareness and demand for this technology.
Header: How Kill Switches Work and Their Effectiveness
Kill switches are connected to a vehicle’s electronics and are typically hidden somewhere in the car’s cabin, known only to the driver. When the driver exits the vehicle, they can activate the kill switch, which prevents the car from being started.
Even if thieves manage to gain access to the car or steal the keys, they won’t be able to start it if the kill switch is engaged. “They can take your keys out of your hand, but they cannot start the car if your switch is off,” Anderson explained.
In addition to preventing traditional car theft, kill switches are also effective against more advanced methods of theft. Some thieves use sophisticated electronic devices, such as key fob reprogrammers,
which are typically intended for locksmiths and car dealerships to create new key fobs. These devices can be used to program a universal key fob that can start a car. However, if a kill switch is installed and activated, the reprogrammer is unable to connect to the car’s onboard computer, rendering it useless in stealing the vehicle.
Anderson demonstrated that with a kill switch activated, the reprogrammer cannot connect to the car’s system, effectively blocking any attempts to steal the vehicle using such advanced methods. “We can’t start it; it can’t connect,” Anderson stated, illustrating the level of protection a kill switch provides.
Header: The Cost of Installing a Kill Switch
For those concerned about the cost, Anderson notes that installing a kill switch is relatively affordable. A professional installation typically costs around $150, although the price can vary depending on the type of car and the complexity of the installation. Despite the modest cost, the investment in a kill switch can offer significant peace of mind and, as in Mills’ case, could save a car from being stolen.
As car theft methods continue to evolve, so too must the measures taken to prevent them. The thwarted theft in East Memphis serves as a stark reminder of the effectiveness of kill switches and the importance of taking proactive steps to protect one’s vehicle.
