Suspects targeting new Chevy Tahoes may have had list of recent buyers, Harris County constable says

KHOU, By Jason Miles, September 18, 2026

Investigators say they found a laptop hooked up to one Tahoe's on-board computer in an apparent effort to clone a key fob.

HOUSTON – A brand-new Chevy Tahoe would not be in the owner's driveway if the Harris County Precinct 1 Constable's Office says a quartet of suspects had not been interrupted early Thursday morning.

"I got woken up at 3:45 in the morning to flashlights on my front porch, and I'm like, what is going on?" said the owner, who did not want to be identified.

She told us the flashlights belonged to a deputy who noticed the vehicle running while checking out suspicious activity in the neighborhood. Seconds later, suspects bailed out.

"I don't know if they had some sort of smart key to where they could get in or they popped a door in a different way, I have no idea," the owner said.

We're told they left behind a laptop that was plugged into the SUV's on-board computer.

"They found that and, like, a pseudo key fob," the owner said. "They're essentially creating a new key for the car."

Three suspects were arrested during a sweep of the area and charged, for now, with burglary of a motor vehicle. A fourth suspect, who was captured on a neighbor's surveillance camera, got away. But not before Constable Alan Rosen said he knocked on a back door to try and find a hiding place.

"Thankfully, the citizen said, 'Absolutely not, get away from my door,'" Rosen said.

He considers this part of a somewhat sophisticated auto theft ring that utilized a list of recent 2026 Chevy Tahoe buyers in order to go after those specific vehicles.

"I don't know if they got that from an auto dealer, manufacturer, I have no idea how they would have gotten, you know, who purchased a 2026 Tahoe recently," Rosen said.

"The theory is that they literally knew I just purchased this car," the Tahoe owner said.

That's part of an ongoing investigation that will likely result in additional charges.

"It's a very organized auto theft ring," Rosen said. "I'm just thankful for law enforcement initially going to the area and doing their job."

Not everyone has a garage, but that's one way to better protect your vehicle. There are also aftermarket products to lock your steering wheel and the on-board computer port that these suspects were allegedly plugging into.

Link.