Car thefts are rising at LAX parking lots. Here's what you need to know to protect yourself

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- As you pack up and get ready to jet off to join family for Thanksgiving, Los Angeles Airport Police have a warning for you.

They've noticed an uptick in car thefts at the airport's parking garages and lots.

Undercover officers took 7 On Your Side Investigates on patrol with them as they work to get ahead of this crime.

An LAXPD sergeant and an LAPD detective supervisor explained that thieves are exploiting an apparent flaw in some new vehicles.

"We've seen that some of the rear windows are being punched, and we're finding out that they don't sound off the alarm," the undercover LAXPD sergeant said.

"We weren't aware that the rear of these new cars, some don't set off the alarm. So obviously, some of the suspects have figured that out," added the LAPD detective.

In the LAX garages and parking lots, which are an ever-changing sea of cars where you'll find every make and model, the undercover officers say this year thieves are targeting new, high-end trucks.

They say Dodge TRXs, GMC Yukons, GMC Denalis, Cadillac Escalades and Jeep Rubicons have all been targeted.

The officers stress car thefts at LAX aren't skyrocketing, but so far this year they've worked 138 car-theft cases.

That's up from 111 cases last year and 67 thefts in 2023, according to Los Angeles Airport Police data.

So don't be an easy target.

The undercovers say thieves are peeking inside looking for wallets and keys, and don't come to the airport racing to catch your flight and accidentally leave something of value in view.

"If you know you're going to be leaving your vehicle for long-term, leave any possessions, any valuables at home if you can," LAX police Capt. Karla Rodriguez.

Police say park as close as possible to any of the many cameras in LAX's parking areas.

Just last weekend, one of them captured a catalytic-converter thief in action.

"He was caught," the LAX police sergeant said. "And it turns out this individual was responsible for about 13 stolen catalytic converters out of this area."

And those cameras are one of the best tools for these officers.

Los Angeles Airport Police has an entire unit just watching and reviewing video from the hundreds of cameras there.

Correction: An earlier version of this story said Chevrolet Yukons. Yukons are manufactured by GMC.