After a car was stolen from the Mazraat Yachouh area in northern Lebanon, and a chase ensued involving the checkpoint in Deir el-Qamar where regional gendarmerie officers pursued the thief, the General Directorate of Internal Security Forces - Public Relations Division clarified that "the main reasons for the theft of modern vehicles are that they are not equipped by the manufacturer with an IMMOBILIZER device that prevents the engine from starting without its key, particularly some vehicles of the 'Kia' and 'Hyundai' brands, making them as vulnerable as older model vehicles to theft."
The General Directorate warned vehicle owners to continuously take precautions to reduce the risk of their cars being stolen. They can adopt several protective measures, the most important of which include: "Professionally installing devices that are difficult for thieves to access, such as an IMMOBILIZER, a GPS device, a MINI GPS, or a secret key to prevent the car from starting, or using a steering wheel lock... It is advisable to park the car in locked areas or in well-lit places equipped with surveillance cameras if possible, etc."
