break in with ford factory alarm?

We seem to have an "epidemic" (the police used this term) of vehicle break-ins in our neighbourhood lately. Among them, my '03 F150 and then 2 weeks later, my wifes' '03 Explorer. In both cases, they only took "loose" items like iPods and GPS and left other things, like expensive in-dash head units, amps, subs and even cases full of CD's and DVD's, alone.

My first thought was that it is just kids looking for things they can sell quickly for cash. However, I am stumped by one thing. In both cases our factory alarm systems were armed and never triggered during the break-ins. Now I am thinking it was older, more sophisticated theives using some "high tech" gear to disable the factory alarms without sounding the horn.

Is this possible? Is there equipment that can do this without sounding the horn? Of course, I am assuming that if the theives just used something like a "slim jim", that the alarm would definitely be triggered.

The reason I am asking is that, although I have already installed a security system in my house (complete with motion sensors outside, high-power flood lights and video cameras), I am also having a RS installed in my new '08 F150 next week. Should I be thinking about and Alarm/RS combo unit? Would an aftermarket alarm system be any better or would it be subject to the same vulnerabilities as the factory alarm?

I am hoping that I can get some opinions on this situation before I lay out $400-500 on a new system for my truck.

Thanks in advance...

WITHOUT A DOUBT.... get some security.......

keyless entry with horn honk doesn't equal "factory security"

Have you tested the door security?

factory alarms only protect two things...1. doors being opened, so break the window and reach in for those quick grabs like iPods, and GPS's.  2.  The ignition being turned on so your car isn't gone the next moring.

An aftermarket alarm with a shock sensor or field disturbance sensor would have gone off when the little rat mustards broke the window.

Not sure what point you are trying to make. I already have a factory security system in both vehicles and yes, I know the factory system works in both vehicles. The Explorer is the Eddie Bauer Edition with all options and my F150 is a Super Crew XLT with XTR package and all the toys (including security and backup camera).

My short question is:

Is an aftermarket system (without motion sensing option) any better at deterring thieves than a factory system?

Or more susinctly put, is an(y) aftermarket system better at foiling a "high tech" gadget that can "shut down" a security system while the thief breaks in.

To megaman:

In both cases, there were no broken windows. In fact, in the morning when the break-in was discovered, both cars were locked and the security system's dash light was flashing as normal. It was only after disarming the alarm and opening the door that I discovered the missing articles (and a fully burned cigarette but on the drivers mat).

This leads me to believe that the thieves used some type of high tech device to not only disable the alarm but also open the dorrs.

Also, the same night they hit my truck, the also broke in to my neighbours' ML Benz and his neighbours Escalade...both had factory security systems engaged.