Angela Xu/Shanghai Daily news

Minhang District prosecutors charged Zhang Xiaodi and Wang Lei, both from Anhui Province, with theft yesterday for allegedly stealing about 100,000 yuan (US$14,641) worth property from parked cars. The pair used an electronic disturber to interfere with infrared automatic locking devices, to stop car owners from locking their doors.

Prosecutors said thieves bought electronic disturbers and decoding devices for car locks through illegal channels and targeted unsupervised car parks.