Photo: CBS Denver
An uptick in break-ins targeting Tesla vehicles across the U.S. was noted by CBS Denver on Tuesday, coinciding with COVID-19 pandemic restrictions beginning to ease. Tesla owners have noted a lull in break-ins during earlier months of the pandemic, but that these break-ins are starting to become more common again.
Member of Tesla Owners of the East Bay Kristine Boncato said, “I felt like it got better during shelter-in-place, during the pandemic. And now that things are reopening and somewhat more normal, there’s been an uptick again.”
According to Charles, a co-owner of Primer Auto Glass, the left rear triangular panel is the most commonly broken spot on a Model 3, since thieves can easily reach in and activate the rear seat handle – effectively displaying anything stored behind the rear seats.
Tesla Sentry Mode Captures Brazen RV Theft on Camera, Saves the Day https://t.co/Q0EqQ7IVk4
— TeslaNorth.com (@RealTeslaNorth) September 4, 2020
Along with using Tesla’s Sentry Mode, or the use of Tesla’s several cameras to capture surrounding footage on an ongoing basis, Tesla owners can also help prevent break-ins by setting the back seats of the car down to reveal that there’s nothing behind the seat.
In addition, some owners have tried to deter criminals by purchasing stickers that explain how the car’s cameras are using Sentry Mode to record surrounding footage.
Boncato says, “But you can deter as much as possible. It’s just a wide issue in the Bay Area, and not just Teslas, too.”
