Owners of newer-model Chevrolet Camaros may need extra precautions against theft.

As the city grapples with a staggering rise in Camaro thefts, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said Feb. 29 key-cloning devices are believed to have been used in many such incidents, following the arrest of a juvenile suspect found in possession of such a device.

Auto detectives from the Newton Division area discovered the electronic device that’s about the size of a cell phone, according to an LAPD statement. The device can detect and clone the signal of a nearby key fob.

“This young person was stealing the Camaros and taking them to street takeovers and then selling them for $2,000 or $3,000 on social media,” Newton Division Capt. Keith Green told the Los Angeles Times. “A 16-year-old was capable of stealing high-end cars.”

The teen was turned over to his parents on Feb. 25, the Los Angeles Times reported. However, it remained unclear whether additional car thefts were linked to him.

Muscle cars, including Camaros, are commonly used in street racing and takeovers. However, the intense nature of such racing activities can result in rapid wear and tear on the vehicles, prompting participants to use stolen cars more often, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The LAPD reported that in the first two months of the year, 10 Camaros have been stolen in the Newton area, representing a 500 percent increase compared to the two stolen last year. Citywide, the agency reported a 1,285 percent increase in stolen Camaros. In 2023, seven of these vehicles were reported stolen, whereas year-to-date, 90 thefts of Camaros were recorded, police said.

With the commercially available key-cloning device, thieves can generate a replacement key or a universal key in less than three minutes, Mr. Green said to the Los Angeles Times.

To prevent such crime, detectives strongly advised car owners to avoid leaving key fobs inside their vehicles at any time and to take extra care while carrying the keys.

“Security cases are available on the market that may be utilized to prevent key fobs signals from being transmitted,” police said in the statement. “Home remedies such as wrapping fobs in aluminum foil or placing fobs inside tin cans have been proven effective.”

Anyone with information about additional crimes, or who may have been a victim of a person utilizing a key-cloning device, is urged to contact Newton detectives at (323) 846-6592. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go to the website.