Thieves Stole Nissan Maxima in St. Louis

A vehicle was taken from a Wyoming Street home using a relay attack despite being locked.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Property Crime

Thieves Stole Nissan Maxima in St. Louis

Live Poll

Do you trust your vehicle's keyless entry system to remain secure against remote signal theft?

A 2017 Nissan Maxima was stolen from a residence on Wyoming Street during a sophisticated relay attack. The incident involved thieves capturing and boosting a key fob signal to unlock and start the vehicle without using force.

Why it matters

The theft highlights the ongoing risk of relay attacks on keyless entry vehicles even as general auto theft rates decline. Residents are reminded that locking doors may not be enough to prevent unauthorized access by thieves utilizing signal-boosting technology.

Official city crime records indicate a 15% decline in auto thefts citywide compared to the previous year. Within the Tower Grove South neighborhood, incidents have decreased by 13% over the same period.

The players

Tower Grove South

This is a residential neighborhood in St. Louis where local crime trends are tracked by municipal authorities.

The details

The theft occurred while the 2017 Nissan Maxima was parked at a Wyoming Street home, with no evidence of broken glass or forced entry found. Authorities noted the vehicle owner only possessed liability insurance, which does not cover the loss of the car itself.

The vehicle was stolen during the night of October 11 or early October 12, 2026.
This report was published on October 14, 2026.

Legal Context

This theft follows a pattern of relay-based vehicle crimes that have persisted despite an overall 15% drop in St. Louis auto thefts this year. The incident underscores the gap between traditional security measures and modern digital theft methods in the local legal environment.

Residents are advised to be aware that even locked, keyless-start vehicles are vulnerable to signal-amplification devices. Owners may consider using faraday bags for their key fobs to block signals and prevent similar thefts from occurring at their homes.

The takeaway

Keyless entry systems can be compromised if thieves successfully boost the signal from a fob located inside a nearby home. Keeping keys stored far from exterior walls or inside signal-blocking pouches can provide an extra layer of protection against these specific attacks.