Latest news with #WISN12News
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Milwaukee man's car stolen by thieves using a reprogrammed key fob — what to know about this alarming trend
Austin Washington's car keys were at his apartment in the Milwaukee suburb of Shorewood. However, thieves were still able to drive off with his vehicle. They broke into his parked Infiniti car through the sunroof and stole it using a reprogrammed key fob. Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) Last month, Washington told WISN 12 News he felt 'violated.' "Somebody was in your car, going through your stuff, stole your car," he said. "I thought I was doing everything right with the information I knew about vehicles. I had no idea about these fob re-programmers." Fortunately, police found his car dumped a few miles away, but they told the news network such high-tech car theft is on the rise across Milwaukee. Thieves use key fob programmers to get cars to start, and then simply drive away. Milwaukee police told WISN 12 News there have been at least 19 reported cases of car thefts using this method within the first three months of 2025. Keyless, or re-programmed car keys, is a growing method of car theft. News reports show that police in different parts of the country, like San Fernando Valley or Oakland County, have issued warnings about this problem. Multiple locksmiths told WISN 12 News that thieves steal key programmers from businesses like theirs in order to steal cars with keyless ignitions. Itay Rahamim, owner of Milwaukee Automotive Locksmith, showed reporters how the theft works on a Lexus. Thieves either go through the sunroof, break the window, or find some other way to get inside the vehicle. They then find the vehicle's on-board diagnostic (OBD) port and plug in the key programmer. It's typically under the steering wheel, close to the gas and brake pedals. Once it's successfully plugged in, the thief can then program a new key to the car. It was about 40 seconds from the time Rahamim opened the door to the car to when he started it using the reprogrammer. Read more: This is how American car dealers use the '4-square method' to make big profits off you — and how you can ensure you pay a fair price for all your vehicle costs Any car that uses a key fob is susceptible to such theft, but some vehicles are more vulnerable than others. Nissans and Infinitis are the most targeted, police told WISN 12 News, but they are not exactly sure why. Rahamim told reporters that 2007 to 2017 models of Honda, Nissan, Infiniti, Dodge, Chrysler, Lexus, and Toyota are more easily stolen The reason? These cars don't have a wait time for someone to start the vehicle after they've reprogrammed a new key. Ford and GM vehicles are among those that do not start immediately, and so they are harder to steal, according to him. Vehicle thefts nationwide decreased 17% to 850,708 in 2024, dropping below the one million mark for the first time since 2021, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). But owners should still take precautions. In an April Facebook post, Milwaukee Police said it has noticed an increase in motorvehicle thefts and drivers should consider protecting their car by installing a lock over their car's OBD port. These types of locks are typically made from a piece of metal or strong plastic that covers the OBD port and makes sure it can only be accessed with a special key. A wheel lock can also deter thieves. The National Insurance Crime Bureau recommends taking the 'layered approach' to protection and has a list of ways owners can try to prevent car theft.. If you discover your vehicle has been stolen, file a police report right away. Provide as many details as possible like information about your car, where it was parked and when you last saw it. Call your auto insurance company and report the loss. Insurers should be able to help if you have comprehensive coverage. Even if your vehicle is recovered, your insurance company may pay to repair it or pay you the actual cash value if it's been declared a total loss. Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Economic Times
05-05-2025
- Economic Times
Missing mother reappears after 63 years with a shocking confession, decades after vanishing in 1962
Audrey Backeberg vanished in 1962, leaving behind two children and decades of unanswered questions. Now, 63 years later, she's been found alive in another state—with a shocking revelation: she left by choice and has no regrets. It was July 1962 when 20-year-old Audrey Backeberg seemingly vanished into thin air. The young mother of two was last seen in Reedsburg, Wisconsin, leaving her family—and the town—grappling with confusion and fear. Despite extensive investigations, the case went cold, and over time, it was largely consigned to memory. But on May 1, 2025, the Sauk County Sheriff's Office stunned the public with an unexpected update: Audrey Backeberg was alive. 'Through diligent investigative work, which included a thorough re-evaluation of all case files and evidence, combined with re-interviewing witnesses and uncovering new insights,' they wrote in an official statement, 'the Sheriff's Office is now able to report that Audrey Backeberg is alive and well and currently resides out of State' — WISN12News (@WISN12News) Detective Isaac Hanson, who recently inherited the long-cold case, didn't let the decades-old dust deter him. Instead, he combed through archived files, chased obscure leads, and spoke to aging witnesses. His breakthrough came when he stumbled upon an arrest record that bore a striking resemblance to Audrey. 'I ended up locating an arrest record that I suspected was likely Audrey, so I contacted her family,' Hanson told WMTV . That contact led him to Audrey's living sister—who, crucially, had maintained an active account. That account became Hanson's key to uncovering new data. 'That was pretty key in locating death records, census reports, all kinds of data,' he told WISN . Eventually, he found an address. 'So I called the local sheriff's department, said 'Hey, there's this lady living at this address. Do you guys have somebody, you can just go pop in?' Ten minutes later, she called me, and we talked for 45 minutes.' The reasons for Audrey's disappearance trace back to a troubled domestic life. According to the Wisconsin Missing Persons Advocacy (WMPA), Audrey had married Ronald Backeberg when she was just 15. By 20, she was already a mother of two and had allegedly endured serious abuse. WMPA noted that Audrey had filed a criminal complaint before she vanished, accusing her husband of beating her and threatening to kill her. Though Ronald was taken in for questioning at the time, he passed a polygraph test and denied all allegations. — WIMissingPerson (@WIMissingPerson) The case grew even stranger when the couple's 14-year-old babysitter told police she had hitchhiked to Madison with Audrey and later traveled to Indianapolis with her before returning home alone. Years later, when re-interviewed as an adult, the babysitter recounted that Audrey had consumed a concoction of pills hidden in a Coke can before boarding the bus to Indianapolis. Despite these clues, the trail eventually ran cold—until Hanson revived it. What he found, however, was not a woman hiding in shame or trauma. Audrey, now in her 80s, was living a quiet life in another state, far removed from the chaos she left behind. And she had no plans to return. 'She had her reasons for leaving,' Hanson said. 'We discussed a lot of things. I think she just was removed and, you know, moved on from things and kind of did her own thing and led her life. She sounded happy. Confident in her decision. No regrets.' Though she has chosen not to reconnect with her children or make any public appearance, Audrey's resurfacing answers one of Wisconsin's oldest mysteries—and reopens wounds long thought healed. Her case offers a sobering reminder: some people don't disappear because they're lost. Sometimes, they leave because they want to.
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Time of India
Missing mother reappears after 63 years with a shocking confession, decades after vanishing in 1962
— WISN12News (@WISN12News) The Cold Case That Refused to Die Why Did She Leave? — WIMissingPerson (@WIMissingPerson) A Life Chosen in Silence It was July 1962 when 20-year-old Audrey Backeberg seemingly vanished into thin air. The young mother of two was last seen in Reedsburg, Wisconsin, leaving her family—and the town—grappling with confusion and fear. Despite extensive investigations, the case went cold, and over time, it was largely consigned to on May 1, 2025, the Sauk County Sheriff's Office stunned the public with an unexpected update: Audrey Backeberg was alive. 'Through diligent investigative work, which included a thorough re-evaluation of all case files and evidence, combined with re-interviewing witnesses and uncovering new insights,' they wrote in an official statement, 'the Sheriff's Office is now able to report that Audrey Backeberg is alive and well and currently resides out of State'Detective Isaac Hanson, who recently inherited the long-cold case, didn't let the decades-old dust deter him. Instead, he combed through archived files, chased obscure leads, and spoke to aging witnesses. His breakthrough came when he stumbled upon an arrest record that bore a striking resemblance to Audrey.'I ended up locating an arrest record that I suspected was likely Audrey, so I contacted her family,' Hanson told WMTV. That contact led him to Audrey's living sister—who, crucially, had maintained an active account. That account became Hanson's key to uncovering new data. 'That was pretty key in locating death records, census reports, all kinds of data,' he told he found an address. 'So I called the local sheriff's department, said 'Hey, there's this lady living at this address. Do you guys have somebody, you can just go pop in?' Ten minutes later, she called me, and we talked for 45 minutes.'The reasons for Audrey's disappearance trace back to a troubled domestic life. According to the Wisconsin Missing Persons Advocacy (WMPA), Audrey had married Ronald Backeberg when she was just 15. By 20, she was already a mother of two and had allegedly endured serious noted that Audrey had filed a criminal complaint before she vanished, accusing her husband of beating her and threatening to kill her. Though Ronald was taken in for questioning at the time, he passed a polygraph test and denied all case grew even stranger when the couple's 14-year-old babysitter told police she had hitchhiked to Madison with Audrey and later traveled to Indianapolis with her before returning home alone. Years later, when re-interviewed as an adult, the babysitter recounted that Audrey had consumed a concoction of pills hidden in a Coke can before boarding the bus to these clues, the trail eventually ran cold—until Hanson revived it. What he found, however, was not a woman hiding in shame or trauma. Audrey, now in her 80s, was living a quiet life in another state, far removed from the chaos she left behind. And she had no plans to return.'She had her reasons for leaving,' Hanson said. 'We discussed a lot of things. I think she just was removed and, you know, moved on from things and kind of did her own thing and led her life. She sounded happy. Confident in her decision. No regrets.'Though she has chosen not to reconnect with her children or make any public appearance, Audrey's resurfacing answers one of Wisconsin's oldest mysteries—and reopens wounds long thought healed. Her case offers a sobering reminder: some people don't disappear because they're lost. Sometimes, they leave because they want to.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Person of the Week: Louvenia Johnson scholarship winners
WISN 12 News is once again partnering with the Black Excellence Awards to showcase this year's Louvenia Johnson Scholarship winners.
