Jena, 2026-05-22 – In the night from Wednesday to Thursday, car thieves struck in Jena-West and stole a gray Toyota Corolla. The police suspect a targeted theft using range extension of the keyless entry system and are asking the public for assistance in solving the case.
- What: Theft of a gray Toyota Corolla (year of manufacture 2020)
- When: Period from Wednesday (2026-05-20), 7:00 PM to Thursday (2026-05-21), 8:10 AM
- Where: Friedrich-Körner-Straße, Jena-West (View on Google Maps)
- Damage amount: approx. 19,000 Euro
- Information to: Landespolizeiinspektion Jena at telephone 03641 810
Criminal Investigation Department searches for stolen vehicle
The unknown perpetrators gained access to the gray passenger car, which was parked in Friedrich-Körner-Straße, in an as yet unexplained manner during the specified period between Wednesday evening and Thursday morning and drove away with the vehicle. According to the investigators’ findings to date, the Toyota Corolla was equipped with a Keyless-Go system. The resulting material damage is estimated at around 19,000 Euro. The Criminal Investigation Department has issued a search warrant for the car and urgently requests witnesses who observed suspicious persons or vehicle movements in the Jena-West area during the period of the crime to come forward.
Background & Prevention: How does the Keyless-Go scam work?
In so-called Keyless-Go theft (also known as range extension), criminals take advantage of modern convenience technology. They intercept the radio signal from the car key, which is often stored unprotected in the hallway or near windows and doors. Using special antennas and transmitters, the perpetrators extend this signal to the parked vehicle. The car registers the supposedly nearby key, opens, and can be started without a key via the start button.
The police recommend the following security measures for owners of Keyless-Go vehicles:
- Secure storage: Never place radio keys near windows, front doors, or external walls.
- Shield the signal: Use special key pouches or metal boxes that shield the signal (Faraday cage). Test the effect by holding the box directly against the car door – if the car does not open, the shielding is active.
- Deactivate function: With many manufacturers, the keyless system can be deactivated via a key combination on the key or directly via the vehicle’s infotainment system.
The Jena-West district in focus
Friedrich-Körner-Straße is located in Jena-West, a residential area characterized by Wilhelminian-style architecture and villas. Due to its proximity to major traffic arteries such as the Bundesstraße 88 (B88) and the Autobahn 4 (A4), gangs of thieves repeatedly use such quiet residential areas for nightly raids in order to quickly transport stolen vehicles across regions.
Source:
Toyota stolen during the night
Transparency note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.