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Security camera footage from a residential driveway shows a coordinated team of thieves stealing a Ram 1500 TRX using the relay attack method — a technique that exploits keyless entry systems to steal modern vehicles without a physical key in a matter of minutes.
How Relay Attacks Work
Relay theft requires two people. One stands near the target house with a signal amplifier that detects and boosts the key fob’s signal through walls. The second person stands near the vehicle holding a relay device that receives and rebroadcasts the amplified signal. The car’s computer detects what appears to be a valid key in range and unlocks the doors and enables the ignition. The whole process typically takes under two minutes.
The TRX as Target
The Ram 1500 TRX is one of the most powerful and expensive production pickup trucks available, with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 and a price tag well above $90,000. High-value performance trucks have become disproportionately targeted by organized theft rings that know exactly where to sell them or which parts to strip. The TRX’s combination of performance credibility and resale value makes it a prime target.
Protection Options
Owners of keyless entry vehicles can significantly reduce relay theft risk by storing their key fobs in signal-blocking pouches when at home. Steering wheel clubs and secondary immobilizers add friction that slows or deters thieves operating with time constraints. The combination of passive and active countermeasures is more effective than either approach alone, and the investment is trivial compared to the vehicle’s value.
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