INTERVIEW WITH A CAR THIEF

(What car thieves tell us - from responses and information compiled)

Q: What kind of cars do you steal? And why?
A: I go after the popular models or whatever I get an order for, 'cause the chop shops pay big bucks for those cars.

Gary "the hot-wire king" Williams
Professional Car Thief

Q: How do you steal a car?
A: Hot-wire it man, that's the only way.

Q: How long does it take for you to steal a car?
A: It depends. My best time was about 40 seconds.

Q: Exactly how do you do that?
A: It's easy... I check it out for alarms... break a window... punch out the ignition... jump the ignition... and drive it away.

Q: What about alarms?
A: No problem... there isn't any alarm that I can't get around. Besides, no one pays attention to what I call "noise makers". I just cut the wires if I can't find the override switch.

Q: How about devices like steering wheel clubs?
A: They're a joke. I can hacksaw through a steering wheel in 20 seconds.

Q: Aren't you deterred by systems like Lojack?
A: Naw... that's why I get cars at two in the morning. By the time the guy wakes up and finds his car is missing, we got it stripped and his Lojack is in the dumpster.

Q: What about engine immobilizers, "Smart Keys" or factory systems?
A: Easy man... just a couple of jumper wires, and I'm around them and gone with the car.

Q: Is there anything that can stop you from stealing a car?
A: Yeah... if I can't start it, I can't drive it away.