About the Owner
Robert Vallelunga: Navy Veteran, Engineer, Locksmith Since 1997.
The guy who actually answers the phone.
Robert Vallelunga is the owner of ACME Locksmith, a U.S. Navy veteran, and an Arizona State University electrical engineering graduate. He has owned ACME since 2007, runs the company from its Gilbert headquarters, and is the primary author of the ACME blog and YouTube channel. He’s been the on-camera locksmith expert for ABC15, CBS5, FOX 10, and Pat McMahon, and is a verified WikiHow author on locksmith and safe topics.
29 yrs
Owning ACME
Navy
U.S. Veteran
ASU
BSEE Engineering
The Backstory
How an Engineer Ended Up Picking Locks
Mesa kid. Navy. Engineer. Locksmith. In that order.
Robert grew up in Mesa, Arizona, and graduated from Mountain View High School. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served four years on active duty.
After the Navy, he came home and earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Arizona State University, then spent 13 years in the semiconductor industry in both engineering and product marketing roles. That technical background still shapes how ACME approaches the business: methodical, documented, and built around solving problems for the customer, not selling them something they don’t need.
In 2007, Robert acquired ACME Locksmith and got to work.
Robert lives in Gilbert with his family. He still answers the phone. He still writes the blog. He still shoots most of the videos. That’s the job.
Credentials
Education, Experience, & Licensing
Receipts, not just claims.
U.S. Navy Veteran
Four years of active duty service in the United States Navy. The discipline, documentation habits, and accountability still show up in how ACME runs every job.
BSEE, Arizona State University
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Arizona State University. Engineer by training. That’s why ACME approaches locks, safes, and access control as systems, not products.
13 Years in Semiconductors
Engineering and product marketing roles in the semiconductor industry before purchasing ACME. Real-world experience running large operations, not just turning a wrench.
ACME Owner Since 2007
Nearly 30 years owning, operating, and growing ACME Locksmith from one shop to four. 170,000+ jobs completed.
AZ ROC License #271563
Robert is the Qualifying Party for ACME’s Arizona Registrar of Contractors license. Bonded and insured. License accountability sits with him personally.
WikiHow Verified Author
Verified author on WikiHow contributing locksmith and safe expertise. View author profile →
As Seen On
Media Appearances
The locksmith Arizona TV news calls when they need answers.
- ABC15 Arizona · Locksmith scam warnings and consumer protection segments
- CBS5 / 3TV (Arizona’s Family) · Smart lock and home security features
- FOX 10 Phoenix · On-camera safe expert
- Let Joe Know (ABC15) · Consumer reporter Joe Ducey’s locksmith expert
- Pat McMahon Show · Featured interview
- Your Life A to Z · Featured segment
- Channel 3 Good Evening Arizona · Featured segment
Individual segment links to be added as recordings are archived.
Published Work
Where Robert Writes
Real expertise, in his own words.
The ACME Blog
Robert is the primary author of the ACME Locksmith blog. Topics include lock buying guides, scam warnings, smart lock reviews, safe selection, and behind-the-scenes industry insights.
WikiHow
Verified WikiHow author contributing technical articles on locksmithing, safe operation, lock picking concepts, and home security best practices.
YouTube Channel
Robert hosts the @LocksmithRecommended YouTube channel with how-tos, product reviews, scam warnings, and in-shop demonstrations.
Areas of Expertise
What Robert Writes & Speaks About
Residential locksmithing · Commercial access control · Automotive locksmith services · Smart locks and connected home security · Safes (home, gun, commercial) · Car key programming and ECU systems · Rekey strategy · Lock picking and bypass techniques · High-security key systems · Master key systems · Locksmith industry scams and consumer protection · Running a multi-location service business
Need a locksmith you can actually trust?
Robert’s team is on the road across the Valley right now.