An anti-theft apparatus for use in a vehicle-mounted electronic component includes a removable control panel (140). Protrusions (141) on a first side of the control panel (140) engage holes (131) in a first side of an equipment body (130) of the electronic component and function as hinges as the control panel (140) is rotated to a mounted position. A first electrical connector (142) on the equipment body (130) engages a second electrical connector (132) on a rear surface of the control panel (140) and a biasing member (139) exerts a force against the rear surface of the control panel (140). The control panel (140) includes a recess (143) in a second side into which a locking protrusion (153a) of a locking mechanism (133) in the equipment body (130) extends. A button (136a) actuates the locking mechanism (133) retracting the locking protrusion (135a) and allowing the biasing member (139) to eject the control panel (140) from the equipment body (130). The locking protrusion (135a) is retracted by a sliding cam or directly by depression of the button (136a). Another embodiment includes a concavity (305) in the control panel (302) which engages a deflectable protrusion (311a) on the equipment body (301) after the release button (309) is depressed so as to retain the control panel (302) in an ejected position for removal by the user. Elastic members (307) engage the protrusions (303) of the control (302) panel providing a click feel during removal and retain the control panel (302) in the ejected position.