---
title: "Watch Car Thieves Steal a Tesla Model S in Under 30 Seconds Using a Relay Device"
description: "The relay device is able to wirelessly capture the key fob's signal and trick the Tesla into thinking the thieves have the key."
date: "2019-08-22"
modified: "2019-08-22"
authors:
  - name: "Jerry Perez"
    job_title: "Deputy Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/29517/watch-car-thieves-steal-a-tesla-model-s-in-under-30-seconds-using-a-relay-device"
categories:
  - "Car Tech"
  - "Electric Vehicles"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
  - "Tesla News"
  - "Watch This"
tags:
  - "Electric Vehicle"
  - "luxury"
  - "model s"
  - "sedan"
  - "Tesla"
---

# Watch Car Thieves Steal a Tesla Model S in Under 30 Seconds Using a Relay Device

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2019/08/Screen-Shot-2019-08-22-at-12.59.41-PM.png>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

A duo of high-tech car thieves managed to steal a Tesla Model S with the help of a relay device and key jamming technology. According to [*The Daily Mail*](<https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7380763/Robbers-use-keyless-hack-steal-90-000-Tesla-30-seconds.html>), the theft occurred in a quiet London neighborhood while the vehicle owners slept, and it amazingly took less than 30 seconds to complete the heist.

Surveillance footage captured by the homeowner's doorbell camera, first spots an individual wearing a hoodie making his way into the driveway via an unlocked front gate. Shortly thereafter, a second individual follows suit and proceeds to open a larger set of gates directly behind the parked Tesla. Meanwhile, the first individual, who has a backpack strapped to his chest, raises his arms and walks closer to the house as if looking for something or "scanning" through the walls. According to the outlet, the thief is actually carrying the [relay device](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/25968/if-you-can-hack-this-model-3-you-can-drive-it-home>) inside his backpack and is holding sensors in his hands, which is why he slowly combs the exterior walls until they sense the wireless key's signal and relay it to the car.

The footage can be seen [here](<https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7380763/Robbers-use-keyless-hack-steal-90-000-Tesla-30-seconds.html>).

The relay device essential steals the key's code and [tricks the Model S into thinking the thieves have the actual key](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/9690/relay-hack-lets-thieves-steal-cars-using-22-of-electronics>), even though the real key is still inside the house. The Model S's headlights can be seen lighting up once the thieves successfully relay the signal, and at that point, the second individual hops into the car and reverses unto the street. The device-holding man casually walks out the front gate as his accomplice drives past him like nothing's happened. All in all, the entire stunt took less than 30 seconds.

Due to the increasing popularity of these thefts and the proliferation of relay and key jamming technology, Tesla has put in place multiple technologies to prevent the theft of its vehicles—such as a password failsafe, which [prompts the driver for a unique keyphrase](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/24355/watch-a-pair-of-thieves-steal-a-tesla-model-s-by-exploiting-its-keyless-entry>) before being able to drive away. However, the original report claims that this particular Tesla was actually a loaner provided by the automaker while the owner's vehicle was being serviced, hence the extra layer of security wasn't activated.

## Author
Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/drive_jerry/>)