Footage has emerged of thieves scanning the perimeter of a home to pick up a Mercedes’ key signal before stealing it.

The vehicle was one of four high-end cars stolen overnight in Bushey on September 22/23 and left the owner “distressed” that technology left them so exposed.

CCTV appears to show a masked man holding a long, cable-like device linked to a backpack, and putting it up against different parts of the property.

Watford Observer: One of the thieves holding a cable-like device linked to a backpack and scanning areas of the home.One of the thieves holding a cable-like device linked to a backpack and scanning areas of the home. (Image: No credit)

Eventually the car lights come on momentarily and another man, dressed in dark colours, can then just about be made out getting inside.

The first thief then stands nearby facing him, while holding his backpack for around 30 seconds, before walking back towards the property and out of shot.

Watford Observer: After another thief enters the car, the cable-holding man stands nearby facing the car while holding his backpack in front of him.After another thief enters the car, the cable-holding man stands nearby facing the car while holding his backpack in front of him. (Image: No credit)

Around 10 seconds later, the car lights rapidly flash on and off – suggestive of some sort of short circuit – before all the lights come on and the thief starts reversing.

The cable-holder then casually walks off while the car is taken.

Watford Observer: One thief gains control of the car and reverses back while the other casually walks away.One thief gains control of the car and reverses back while the other casually walks away. (Image: No credit)

It comes as police warned crooks are using “signal jacking devices” to get key fob signals to unlock and start cars.

The victim told the Watford Observer: “When I watched this back I felt compromised and abused by total strangers who casually believe it’s their right to remove your property.

“Even more distressing is the thought of computers enabling them to carry out such a crime.

“Initially there is relief they didn’t break into my home to get the key fob, but also contempt for their sheer audacity to believe they have the right to steal.”

Full video:

Several days later police found the Mercedes in Woking, but officers declined to reveal exactly where or how it was found, according to the victim. The car has now been returned.

No arrests have been made in connection with this or the other three thefts but enquiries are ongoing, a Herts Police spokesperson confirmed.

It comes amid a separate recent Mercedes theft in Watford – also mostly caught on CCTV – involving sophisticated technology being used to block a Ring security camera.

That victim said having spoken to Ring, he was told some thieves have technology “similar to an EMP”, which disturbs electrics with a brief burst of electromagnetic energy.

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