Ohio Law Criminalized Car Theft Devices

Governor Mike DeWine signed legislation making possession of key-programming tools a fourth-degree felony.

Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Property Crime

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of an electronic bypass device, representing the new Ohio felony law on vehicle theft tools. — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed legislation into law on Tuesday making the possession of electronic key-programming tools a fourth-degree felony to curb vehicle thefts. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has signed House Bill 519 into law to combat the rise in vehicle thefts. The legislation makes the possession of electronic key programming devices, used to bypass ignition systems, a fourth-degree felony.

Why it matters

Law enforcement officials pushed for the measure after expressing concern that thieves were using high-tech tools to steal vehicles for use in violent crimes. The law aims to dismantle the tools fueling recent surges in motor vehicle thefts.

Possession of electronic key programming devices is now classified as a fourth-degree felony in Ohio. Recovery investigations have previously linked single devices to as many as 76 stolen vehicles.

The players

Mike DeWine

Mike DeWine is the current Governor of Ohio who signed House Bill 519.

Dayton Police

Dayton Police is the municipal agency that provided testimony to the Statehouse regarding vehicle theft trends.

The details

Thieves use these electronic devices to digitally bypass keyless entry and push-button ignition systems. Dayton police personnel testified at the Statehouse regarding the prevalence of these tools, citing one device recovered in 2024 that was connected to 60 thefts.

In 2019, Dayton recorded approximately 800 vehicle thefts.
Communities began seeing a spike in motor vehicle theft during 2022.
Dayton recorded over 2,400 vehicle thefts in 2023.
A device linked to 60 thefts was recovered in 2024.
Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 519 into law on October 1, 2026.

Legal Context

This legislation marks a direct shift in how Ohio addresses property crimes that utilize modern, digital bypass technologies. It follows a significant increase in vehicle thefts in cities like Dayton, which are on track for approximately 1,400 incidents in 2026.

The new law empowers law enforcement to charge individuals in possession of these devices with a felony, potentially reducing the prevalence of vehicle thefts in local neighborhoods. Residents should be aware that these specialized bypass tools are now strictly prohibited under state penal code.

The takeaway

The criminalization of these devices represents a legislative response to the increasing use of technology in criminal activity. Owners of vehicles with keyless entry systems are encouraged to consult their manufacturers about available software updates or security enhancements.