Long Beach Police Hunting for 'Keyless Burglars'

Long Beach police today made public video of three burglars using  handheld devices to unlock and burglarize cars.

On Feb. 26, the suspects were caught on video shortly before 1 a.m. as they burglarized cars in an apartment building garage in eastern Long Beach, police said.

Police Chief Jim McDonnell said officers with the Auto Theft Detail were stumped about how the burglars were managing to unlock cars.

"Just as law enforcement tactics evolve, so does the criminal element's," he said, "and we need the community's involvement more so than ever."

Apparently the device works on some cars, but not all of them.

Two suspects are shown trying unsuccessfully using a device to get into two cars, but the device does not appear to work on two other vehicles. About the same time, a third suspect quickly opens and burglarizes seven vehicles.

Police would not give an address for the crimes. They suggested locking any valuables in vehicle trunks.