Car stolen?
Put police on it in seconds.
Car Arrest pairs a pocket-sized beacon hidden in your car with an app on your phone. If your car moves without you, one swipe confirms the theft and sends its live location, heading and speed straight to 911 — so officers can recover it while it's still in one piece.
- Owner-confirmed alerts
- Live location, heading & speed
- Sent straight to 911
Car theft is fast. Recovery is still slow.
Owners and police still work from phone calls, forms and stale information — while the car keeps moving.
average time to find a stolen car that does get recovered.
Source: ValuePenguin analysis of FBI dataThe first few days are critical. FBI data shows that the longer a stolen car stays with thieves, the lower its chance of being recovered. Source: FBI
From "my car is moving" to police on it — in seconds.
No phone calls. No forms. No reading your VIN to a dispatcher while the clock runs.
- 01
The beacon notices
A pocket-sized beacon hidden in your car wakes the moment the car moves without you.
- 02
You get an alert
Your phone asks one question: is this you, or a theft?
- 03
One swipe confirms it
Swipe once to report the theft. That's the whole report.
- 04
Police get live data
Your car's live location, heading and speed — plus its make, model, color and plate — go straight to 911.
You stay in control. Police only receive your car's data after you confirm a theft, so officers act on real, in-progress thefts — not false alarms.
Every minute changes the outcome.
A stolen car rarely sits still. The sooner police have accurate, live information, the better your odds of getting it back.
The car is close and the trail is fresh. Your best window for a quick, clean recovery.
It may be hidden, moved or put on different plates. Live location still points the way.
Parts can be stripped, the interior trashed, or the car used in other crimes.
Many cars turn up damaged — or never turn up at all.
The usual way
- Call, wait on hold and explain what happened
- Read your plate and VIN aloud from paperwork
- Tell police where you last saw the car
- Call back with anything new
With Car Arrest Live
- One swipe and the report is made
- Vehicle details sent instantly
- Where the car is right now — with heading and speed
- Updates stream automatically as it moves
Get it back in one piece.
Recovered is good. Recovered undamaged is better. Speed matters most — and a few habits help too.
Speed beats strippers
Catalytic converters, wheels, airbags and electronics come off fast. Reaching the car first is how you keep its parts.
Less joyriding, less damage
The longer a thief has your car, the more miles, curbs and crashes it sees. Live tracking shortens the ride.
Leave nothing inside
Bags, electronics and spare keys give thieves a reason to break in — and more to rummage through.
Layer your protection
Steering-wheel locks, kill switches and keeping key fobs away from doors (or in a signal-blocking pouch) slow thieves down.
Photograph your car now
Photos of every side and the interior, plus notes on dents or custom parts, make it easier to identify and prove its condition.
Call your insurer early
Report the theft to your insurer as soon as police have it. Early notice keeps your claim moving.
Let police make the recovery.
Never chase, follow or confront the person who has your car — even if you can see where it is. Your car can be replaced. You can't.
What to do if your car is stolen
Whether or not you have Car Arrest, these steps give you the best chance of getting your car back — and protect you while you wait.
Make sure it wasn't towed or repossessed
Check where you parked, then call the local towing or parking authority. If you're behind on payments, check with your lender.
Report it to police right away
If the theft is happening now or anyone is in danger, call 911. Otherwise, call your police department's non-emergency line. Have your plate number, VIN, make, model, year and color ready, and ask for the report number.
Don't go after it yourself
If a tracker or app shows where the car is, give that to police and let officers recover it.
Call your insurance company
Comprehensive coverage typically covers theft. Have your policy number and police report number handy.
Tell your lender or leasing company
If the car is financed or leased, they need to know about the theft and your claim.
Notify your DMV
In many states, reporting the theft flags your plates and VIN so the car can't easily be re-registered and you aren't billed for tolls or tickets.
Protect your identity and home
If keys, a garage opener, your registration or a wallet were inside, change your locks, freeze your cards and watch your credit.
Questions, answered.
What is Car Arrest?
Car Arrest is a stolen-vehicle recovery system made up of a pocket-sized location beacon you hide in your car and an app on your phone. If your car moves without you, one swipe confirms the theft and sends the car's live location, heading and speed to 911 so police can recover it quickly.
How does Car Arrest work?
The beacon wakes when your car moves without you, and the app asks whether it's you or a theft. If it's a theft, you swipe once to confirm, and Car Arrest sends your car's live location, heading and speed, along with its make, model, color and plate, to 911. Updates keep streaming as the car moves.
How is Car Arrest different from a GPS tracker?
A tracker shows you where your car is, but you still have to call police, wait, explain and pass along updates yourself. Car Arrest is built for recovery: once you confirm the theft, live location, heading and speed go straight to 911, so officers can move while the trail is fresh.
Will police get my car's location when it isn't stolen?
No. Car Arrest is designed so police only receive your car's data after you confirm a theft with a swipe. Owner confirmation is the safeguard, so officers act on real, in-progress thefts, not false alarms.
Should I still call 911 if my car is stolen?
If you or anyone else is in danger, or the theft is happening in front of you, call 911 right away. Car Arrest is designed to make reporting a stolen car faster and more accurate, not to replace emergency calls when people are at risk.
What should I do if my car is stolen?
First make sure it wasn't towed or repossessed. Then report it to police with your plate number and VIN, don't chase it yourself, and contact your insurance company, your lender if you have one, and your DMV. If keys, documents or a wallet were inside, change your locks and protect your credit.
How can I keep a stolen car from being damaged?
Speed matters most: the sooner police reach the car, the less time thieves have to strip parts or wreck it. Keep valuables and spare keys out of the car, use a steering-wheel lock or kill switch, and photograph your car now so its condition is documented.
How common is car theft in the U.S.?
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) counted 659,880 vehicle thefts in the U.S. in 2025, about one every 48 seconds. That was down 23% from 2024, but it still works out to roughly 1,800 vehicles a day.
When will Car Arrest be available?
Car Arrest is launching soon. Join the waitlist and we'll email you when it's available in your area. Availability depends on local police and 911 participation.
Can police departments and 911 centers partner with Car Arrest?
Yes. We're looking for police departments and 911 centers to help decide how owner-confirmed theft alerts reach their dispatchers and officers, and availability in each area depends on that participation. See how partnering works.
Who makes Car Arrest?
Car Arrest is made by Car Arrest, Inc., a company based in Kensington, Maryland, and led by CEO Mike Dombo. Investors can learn more on our investor information page.
Be first in line when we launch.
Tell us where you are and which phone you use, and we'll let you know the moment Car Arrest is available near you.
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We'll only use your details to tell you about Car Arrest. See our Privacy Policy.
Book a 30-minute call.
For police departments, 911 centers, investors, insurers, dealers, fleet managers and press. Pick a time that works, and we'll walk you through Car Arrest and answer your questions.
- See how owner-confirmed alerts reach 911
- Explore a pilot or partnership in your area
- Get answers for a story or report
Prefer email? sales@cararrest.com
Police department or 911 center? See how partnering works.
Investor? Read our investor information.
Car owner? Join the waitlist to hear when we launch near you.