FCA: tough talk on code thieves

In the wake of a set of car thefts made possible by stolen or “borrowed” dealer software,  FCA had changed its dealers’ terms of use to make it clear that FCA will use its legal power to punish anyone who abuses or shares “key codes, radio codes and other anti-theft or security measures.”

Two men are have been charged with stealing over a hundred FCA vehicles in Texas. It took a three month investigation to catch them. [See earlier Allpar story]

Police reports allege that Michael Armando Arce and Jesse Irvin Zelaya used a laptop and dealer software to steal the vehicles; they’d copy out the VIN (visible through the windshield),  reprogram the system to accept their key, and immediately drive them to Mexico.  The Houston Police said that the investigation is ongoing and that more arrests and charges are possible.

Based on a story by Larry Vellequette in Automotive News.