Police Warn Ram Owners About Infotainment System Theft Surge

The Detroit Police Department is reportedly warning Ram owners to keep an eye on their pickups as thieves have been targeting them. However, they’re more focused on stealing infotainment systems than the trucks themselves.

While the department didn’t post the warning on social media, where people would actually see it, WDIV is reporting authorities want to warn residents about a “crew of thieves” actively targeting newer Ram trucks. This probably shouldn’t be too surprising as a quick search on eBay shows used infotainment systems can fetch hundreds of dollars. It’s also worth mentioning that flipping an infotainment system is easier and safer than trying to sell a stolen vehicle.

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Police are advising residents to lock their trucks and, ideally, park them in a garage or fenced-in yard. Authorities also suggested keeping exterior lights on at night as part of an effort to deter thieves.

It’s not immediately clear how widespread the problem is, but a Redditor reported an attempted infotainment theft back in February. In that incident, the thieves were reportedly caught in the act and ditched the screen during their getaway.

Digging a little deeper, it appears to be pretty easy to remove Ram infotainment systems. A YouTube tutorial shows the entire display and control panel is held in place by two screws and a series of clips. Once the screws are removed, you simply pull the display forward and disconnect a few wires. That’s great for repairs and replacements, but not so great for deterring theft.