According to Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) the top 10 most stolen vehicles in 2008 that thieves like to steal. There are different purposes for auto theft, like luxury cars are stolen for export purpose and low end vehicles are stolen for transportation, parts or for use in other crimes. The top ten stolen vehicles are 2000 Honda civic Sir 2-door, 1999 Honda civic sir 2-door, 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX/WRX STi 4-door AWD, 1995 Dodge/Plymouth grand caravan/voyager, 1995 dodge/Plymouth caravan/voyager, 2002 Acura RSX Type S 2-door, 2001 Audi TT Quattro Roadster, 1995 Acura Integra 2-door, 1996 Dodge/Plymouth Neon 2-door, 1996 Dodge/Plymouth Neon 4 door.

There are lots of people who think that nobody would steal old neon, but this survey shows that are not only interested in new or high value vehicles. These older vehicles are easier to steal, because they do not have anti-theft electronic immobilizers. Thieves’ steal sporty vehicles like 2002 Acura RSX and 2001 Audi TT Quattro Roadster because they can make profit by shipping them overseas, and by selling them to unsuspected customers. Thieves also steal high-end four wheel drive vehicles like the Hummer H2, Cadillac Escalade, Lexus RX350, BMWX5, Mercedes Benz GL450, Lincoln MKX and Toyota RAV4 in great number because they can be shipped to places like west Africa and Middle east, where they are used for terrain. The recovery rate for stolen vehicles in Canada continues to decline.

In 2008, IBC investigators in partnership with law enforcement stopped 295 vehicles from leaving Canadian ports. In order to stop auto theft for export IBC partnered with law enforcement to identify and seize stolen vehicles that were being smuggled through two Canadian ports.

At this time of the year, there will be an increase in car burglary. Thieves target cars in mall and strip mall parking lots. This is the common place where thieves steal the car. Criminals will look for cars containing specifically purchased merchandise. When people leave car doors unlocked it may take only seconds for their things to disappear. Last year, nearly 262,000 acts of burglary were reported in Texas. If there is nothing in the car, thieves do not target that vehicle. People, who do their shopping on holidays, should place their merchandise in the trunk of the vehicle. Shoppers should bring a blanket to cover merchandise if their vehicle does not have a trunk. Thieves are mostly interested in electronic goods, because they can be sold easily. Clothing items fetch less interest. Even small electronic items like CD’s and DVDs have a resale market.

The most important thing is do not leave car keys in the car. Doors should always be locked, windows should not be cracked and the engine should be turned off. Even professional identification items should never be left in the car. Thief may not be satisfied with just taking a car. Hondas are stolen most often when compared to other car makes because of interchangeable parts that are easy to resell. Next up are domestic trucks, most often four doors. Driver’s recommend owners to buy a car security system with a fuel stop. The system will not allow a hot-wired car to travel more than about 10 feet before fuel is cut off from the engine.