Prevent theft from trunk

[ryanholt]

There has been a trend of car burglars breaking out the rear side window and stealing items from the trunk by folding down the rear seat. Think backpacks and women’s purses. For years we’ve been taught to put that stuff in the trunk when parked. Problem is, Cadillac failed to create a way to lock the rear seats in place. Even putting the car in valet mode only prevents the trunk from being opened, but the stuff in the trunk can be accessed by folding down the rear seat. I’ve also started seeing videos on YouTube of thieves breaking out the rear door windows and stealing luggage from the trunk while people are stopped at stop lights in places like San Francisco and Oakland. After looking online and only finding solutions for Teslas, I bought a replacement latch mechanism and designed a block plate that fits inside the latch handle of our Cadillac to essentially lock the rear seats. I put a nut cert in the bottom and used a machine screw to hold mine in place but you could easily use a black drywall screw. No one would ever see the tiny hole it would leave in the bottom of the hand hold in the latch. I’ve put them on Etsy and V net members get 20% off for 2025. Just put in code VNET20. Here is the link https://lomaholt.etsy.com/listing/1824426017Seat lock

 

[565565]

Great idea but how would my Trunk Monkey get out?

 

[ryanholt]

Great idea but how would my Trunk Monkey get out?

That was a classic series for sure!

 

[BimmerFan]

Is this really a problem? I mean, for people who don't live in SF or Oakland.

Just because it's on the Internet doesn't make it true. Or so I've heard on tiktok...

 

[NorCal Blackwing]

My CT5 has a special feature where the rear quarter window, instead of being glass, has been replaced with a black plastic triangle. You may think, surely not on a $100K car, but maybe it was set up to help with bipping

In all seriousness though I always think of this as a Bay Area problem but I guess it could happen in any big city now, it's not as if it's a trade secret known only to crims in California.

 

[vagabond]

I have two car seats in the back. When those aren't installed, which is rare, I keep my rear seatbelts buckled with shoulder straps extended/released to ratchet. Both negate reasonable access.

I like your solution b/c it may help even more w/ reasonable access situations. Probable cause would probably still be found though. Locked compartments and containers have still been considered reasonable access in a bunch of case law late 90s+ either way .. .. but I digress. You're talking theft.

Make sure you've thought through your cell phone mount location and where you keep your gun(s) if you unholster too.

 

[1Evil55]

I read the thread title and thought someone was fed up and hiding in their trunk for retaliation from the two legged animals. #socialjusticed

 

[vagabond]

... Even putting the car in valet mode only prevents the trunk from being opened, but the stuff in the trunk can be accessed by folding down the rear seat. ...

This stood out to me. Nice idea for the screw/lock!

 

[nordique14]

I ordered a set. I have a long road trip home and it is a good idea to lock out the ability to get into the trunk (which will have all my luggage). I will report back once I get them installed and tested.

 

[ryanholt]

Is this really a problem? I mean, for people who don't live in SF or Oakland.

Just because it's on the Internet doesn't make it true. Or so I've heard on tiktok...

Doesn’t have to be. If you look at most cities’ UCR or NIBRS crime stats, the leading column is theft. This includes burglaries. More specifically, burglary of a motor vehicle. Particularly, in the Southern states and the coastal states. If you never, ever, put anything in your trunk and never, ever, have to park it where you can’t see it, then no, not a problem. Even with that my emphasis was creating a situation where it is valeted or left somwhere for service and I need to leave something in the trunk. I just saw a situation where nearly every vehicle in a hotel parking lot in Nashville had there side windows broken and whatever was available was taken. If they could fold down the back seats, they looked in the trunks also.

 

[BimmerFan]

Doesn’t have to be. If you look at most cities’ UCR or NIBRS crime stats, the leading column is theft.

That's a good point. I live in a very "desirable" and low crime town, but I've been a victim of theft and we had one well publicized incident of a guy breaking into a BMW X5 in a crowded parking lot in the middle of the day. We know this because numerous bystanders videoed the thief as he struggled to get in (even with broken windows, he still couldn't open the doors) and steal whatever it was that he was going after. Fortunately, he was caught.

Honestly, I just try to be careful and not get too worked-up over this stuff. Locks and weapons may make you feel better, but in the end, it's just a car and it's all just stuff. Park where it's reasonably safe and keep your insurance up-to-date.