Cracking the auto theft code
Former police officer Mike Bender was a huge help while I researched my Wired magazine story last summer on the theft of our transponder-protected hybrid Civic. Then I discovered that Mike wasn’t just an aid to curious journalists, but a invaluable resource to many detectives and insurance investigators, who need all the help they can get when to understand the technology in 21st century cars.
In today’s auto section of the Times, I write about Mike, his assistance to law enforcement, and his campaign to illuminate the connections between street racing, auto theft and insurance fraud.