Summary of Glitter Bomb Series and Car Break-In Investigation

Incident Description

• Backpack with high-tech glitter and fart spray mechanisms was stolen from a car in San Francisco.
• Bulletproof windows installed in cars as a humorous deterrent against thieves.

Background

• San Francisco experiences approximately 20,000 car break-ins annually.
• Investigation seeks to identify whether these crimes are perpetrated by organized crime, gangs, or individuals.

Investigation Strategy

• Collaborative effort with a veteran investigative reporter to study break-ins using a bait car over eight months.
• Smart backpacks equipped with glitter bombs, fart spray, GPS, and cameras to track thief reactions and movements.

Findings

• Majority of break-ins conducted by individuals rather than gangs.
• Thieves often drive cars with stolen license plates.
• Thieves commonly use spark plugs to shatter tempered car windows easily.

Car Bait Enhancements

• Redesigned glitter bomb specifically for cars, utilizing compressed gas to disperse glitter and fart spray.
• Two versions created: backpack and suitcase, along with a laptop equipped with a GPS tracker.
• Bait car equipped with bulletproof windows and microphones to detect break-in attempts.

Patterns and Techniques Employed by Thieves

• Many thieves operate alone, using disguises or timing to remain inconspicuous.
• Thieves utilize various techniques, such as waiting for obstructions or using disguises to avoid detection.

Solutions and Suggestions

• Identified fencing operations as key points where stolen goods are exchanged for cash.
• Suggests dismantling such operations could reduce the motivation for theft.
• Increased public awareness and emphasizing public safety may help reduce crime rates.

Final Thoughts and Results

• Emphasized failures as part of an engineer’s process to succeed with innovative solutions.
• Total of 167 porch pirates and 29 car thieves targeted, with significant recovery of stolen goods.
• Encourages learning from past challenges and continuous innovation in preventing crime.