A comprehensive vehicle anti-theft and alarm system that immediately notifies a vehicle owner when a vehicle is being tampered with. Notification is accomplished via wireless signal to the owners' cell phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), laptop or desktop computer, or other electronic device, or to the police. The signal can be used to provide an audible, inaudible (e.g., vibratory), or visual alert, depending upon the mode the owner has chosen. In addition, the system transmits a photograph or image of the person tampering with the vehicle. The transmitted image(s) may be periodically refreshed. In alternate embodiments of the system, realtime streaming video may be transmitted. The anti-theft system typically includes a GPS receiver that tracks the movements of the vehicle in the event it is actually stolen. Finally, the system includes a communications link that allows the owner to speak directly to the unauthorized occupant of the vehicle.