How One Dealership Theft Exposed the Need for Better Key Security

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Car thieves have realized that dealerships are soft targets, making them easy to steal from, and the problem isn’t slowing down. One of many examples came out of Montgomery, Ohio, last summer, when thieves stole multiple Cadillacs from a dealership’s service department in the early morning hours, which led police on a high-speed chase.

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According to reports, an employee arrived just in time to catch the thieves in the act and called police. The chase that followed saw the suspects split up, drive the wrong way on the highway, and ultimately crash or abandon all five stolen Cadillacs. Most of the vehicles were damaged, and all but one of the suspects got away.

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Incidents like this highlight a question that keeps coming up:

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Why aren’t dealerships doing more to secure their keys?

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The service department is often the most vulnerable area in a dealership. Vehicles are left overnight, customer cars are waiting for maintenance, and dozens of keys are accessible to multiple employees. Without proper control, it only takes one breach or one unlocked key box for thieves to walk away with thousands in stolen property.

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Accountability and Control with iSafe Systems

The truth is, key security doesn’t have to be complicated; it has to be controlled. That’s where the iSafe line of key management systems comes in.

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With 1Micro’s iSafe Pro, iSafe Lite, or iSafe SOLO, every key is protected inside a secure, aircraft-grade aluminum cabinet that can only be accessed by authorized personnel. Each user has a unique PIN login, and every key transaction is automatically logged and time-stamped in the iLot software.

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That means dealership managers can instantly see:

• Who took a key and when
  
  
• Which vehicle it belongs to
  
  
• When it was returned — or if it wasn’t
  
  

This level of visibility doesn’t just prevent theft; it creates accountability across the entire team. Even if a key is checked out for service, management knows exactly who is responsible for it.

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Protecting Dealerships and Customer Trust

When customer vehicles are stolen from a service department, the financial loss is only part of the problem. The real damage comes from lost trust, both from customers and insurance providers.

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Installing an iSafe system shows a commitment to security, professionalism, and accountability. It reassures customers that their vehicles and keys are being protected with the same care and precision they expect from a trusted dealership.

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Don’t Wait for the Next Headline

The Montgomery incident is just one of many. Every time a dealership’s keys are left unsecured, it’s an open invitation for thieves. With iSafe, you can lock down your keys, protect your assets, and eliminate excuses.

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Dealership theft isn’t going away, but with the right system in place, your keys aren’t going anywhere.

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