Carjacking at Hertz BNE Dom

[boomy]

A short while ago a man entered the Hertz car park, stole a BMW X5 from bay C4 just opposite the counters, and stormed through the gate smashing a small Hyundai that was on its way (the driver was inside), dragging it a few meters until it smashed into a pole and drove away.
Lots of police came shortly after but the stolen car and the driver have not been found yet.

 

[TomVexille]

That's a little crazy and a little desperate.

 

[anat0l]

Not a good sight. And interesting that they haven't gotten quick smart onto the stolen car.

Where were you when you got those pictures? Were you the one in the red car?

And how do you get the keys for the stolen car, unless they were pocketed somehow else or there was an incident at the Hertz office (possibly an inside job).

 

[docjames]

Wow, just wow.

Surely there'd be a million security cameras and the chances of "getting away with it" would be slim.

 

[markis10]

And how do you get the keys for the stolen car, unless they were pocketed somehow else or there was an incident at the Hertz office (possibly an inside job).

All the cars have keys in them, helps with the Hert five star service where you hop in and first interaction with a staff member is at the boom gates checking credentials (in most cases).

 

[anat0l]

All the cars have keys in them, helps with the Hert five star service where you hop in and first interaction with a staff member is at the boom gates checking credentials (in most cases).

When did this start happening? I obviously haven't hired a car in ages, because the last time I still remember you collected (and returned) keys at the counter, after signing the usual ream of paperwork.

I guess it's a good idea in principle, but no one really thought about the security implications? (Unless they were banking on the fact that no one would really have the gall to just drive off with a vehicle)

 

[markis10]

When did this start happening? I obviously haven't hired a car in ages, because the last time I still remember you collected (and returned) keys at the counter, after signing the usual ream of paperwork.

I guess it's a good idea in principle, but no one really thought about the security implications? (Unless they were banking on the fact that no one would really have the gall to just drive off with a vehicle)

Hertz have been doing it for 15 years or so at various airports, Avis much longer (mid 90s in Sydney).

 

[Muzfly]

I suspect car stealing from Rental and Valet Parking lots is more common than most people think. I wont use QF Valet parking anymore after my Jag was complete trashed by a vandal several years ago. Initially QF gave me the "all care taken, no responsibility" line but astonishingly they later had a complete change of heart and undertook all repairs to their account. Car was only two years old at the time and I recall the bill went north of $20K (full repaint and leather interior etc). Play it safe these days and leave the car at home......

 

[DC3]

Agree. The keys at Hertz are always already in my booked rental car, at BNE and elsewhere (the Hertz Gold thing). Never in the office.

Nothing to sign. Just show driver's licence on exiting and off you go.

 

[erkpod]

What makes this a carjacking? It's my understanding that if someone is driving the car & someone else forces their way in & drives away with the car, that's a carjacking. But if the keys are in it & there's no one with the car, it's a stolen car.

 

[DC3]

Yes. Not a car-jacking as such, from the reports. No mention of anyone else in the car. Basically stealing of an unattended vehicle.

I hope this doesn't screw up the current ability and convenience to go straight to the car, by-passing the office to collect from the bay. Maybe they will do some beefing-up of the physical security at the exit area.

 

[boomy]

Where were you when you got those pictures? Were you the one in the red car?

Luckily I wasn't in the red car, that would be a very unpleasant experience... My rental was parked next to the X5.

 

[austgap]

That would be the third stint of stealing a Hertz car at Brisbane airport within the last few weeks, interestingly first time for a prestige car. Yet to happen around midday is shocking

 

[BAM1748]

All the cars have keys in them, helps with the Hert five star service where you hop in and first interaction with a staff member is at the boom gates checking credentials (in most cases).

Have always thought this is a bit of a smorgasboard for a car thief.

Matt

 

[samh004]

Being an airport, federal land and all that, would the offence be more severe than had they simply stole it from the city?

Maybe they will do some beefing-up of the physical security at the exit area.

They could install one of those tyre shredding security features instead of a boom gate. So when you exit, an attendant lowers the spikes and you drive out, but if you simply try to drive straight through you wont get far...

 

[boomy]

I hope this doesn't screw up the current ability and convenience to go straight to the car, by-passing the office to collect from the bay. Maybe they will do some beefing-up of the physical security at the exit area.

Today everyone have to pick up the keys from the counter, with a priority given to gold members. Will be interesting to see if they will change their policy after today's events.

 

[austgap]

They could install one of those tyre shredding security features instead of a boom gate. So when you exit, an attendant lowers the spikes and you drive out, but if you simply try to drive straight through you wont get far...

From what I've heard since all the car rental companies simply lease the carpark bays from BAC, it would be up to them to install such device. Something which has been asked for numerous times. Hopefully these recent events are enough to warrant them.

 

[DC3]

Being an airport, federal land and all that, would the offence be more severe than had they simply stole it from the city?

They could install one of those tyre shredding security features instead of a boom gate. So when you exit, an attendant lowers the spikes and you drive out, but if you simply try to drive straight through you wont get far...

Something like this?

Severe tire damage? - YouTube

 

[docjames]

/tangential ponder/

I wonder, since they may not find the driver of the X5, what will happen to the rental excess for the driver of the red car? Will he/she be charged for "damage" as presumably they hadn't yet returned the car!

 

[JohnK]

Don't rental cars have tracking devices these days?