In Stanislaus country, vehicle thefts have reduced this year. Cities like Modesto and Turlock have seen reduction in auto thefts by nearly 30 percent. According to national insurance crime bureau, Stanislaus country ranked first this year in car thefts. In 2007, Stanislaus country had dropped to fifth place in car thefts. Nearly 959 vehicles were stolen in July this year, in Modesto city. Last year during the same period, 1,366 cars were stolen. There’s nearly 30 percent drop of vehicle theft in Modesto city this year compared to last year.

Thief’s used to steal even if they had to pay $40,000 for bail or they were in jail for 180 days. But now there has been a reduction in car theft because they don’t want their picture in the paper. Even if the police have any suspicion on any person they would post their picture on the newspapers. This thing has really affected thief, which led to reduction in car theft. Public has also become more cautious. People used to leave their engine running as they were in a hurry to go into a store so that they could complete their task soon. Older model Hondas and Nissans remain popular targets for thieves.

H.E.A.T tips had celebrated 23 years of success last month. Help Eliminate Auto Thefts (H.E.A.T) is a vital resource in Michigan for law enforcement, insurance companies and citizens to help decrease auto theft related crimes. Started in 1985, it has recovered nearly $49 million in stolen property and has arrested more than 3,200 suspects involved in auto theft rings, chop shops, carjacking and fraudulent car theft. H.E.A.T provides a confidential and convenient way to report information.

H.E.A.T works with Michigan law enforcement agencies to follow up on tips. Tipsters are awarded up to $1,000 if the tip leads to the arrest and prosecution of a suspected car thief and $10,000 is awarded to tipsters if they give information of a suspected theft ring or chop shop operators. It rewards nearly $2,000 to tipsters for information leading to the issuance of a warrant for a carjacking suspect.

For the past few years, the number of automobile thefts has increased at a startling pace in the United States. Today no longer youngsters’ moves around the province on a jolly ride due the fact that automobiles are gets steeled. On the other hand, automobile theft has become a big business not only in US but across the globe.

The reason for the launch of this website is to help auto mobile owners to prevent thefts. Everyone from the automobile and security industries,insurance industry, the government, law enforcers and the automobile owners must form a united group to fight the problem of automobile theft, as this has become a serious problem and a threat to both psychological and economic welfares for the people in America.

This website gives you wide knowledge on how to prevent crime and how to protect your auto from theft. We believe that this auto theft prevention website, AutoThiefs.com will be very helpful for automobile owners and for those who are working in the automobile industry. Don’t forget to bookmark this informative website and keep visiting our Auto Theft News section which will keep you updated with valuable information.

According to a police chief, Montgomery County police received nearly 225 reports of stolen vehicles. The number of thefts has increased by 9 percent when compared to previous year, while there is only a small increase in the number of murders, rapes and assaults. In the county a total of 2,258 vehicles were stolen but police was able to solve only 267 auto theft cases. The items that are stolen from the vehicle have increased by 17.2 percent when compared to last year. There was a significant rise in the number of burglaries and robberies committed by gangs last year. In the year 2008, there were nearly 2,623 residential burglaries, up 73 from the year before. County Executive Ike Leggett has increased the public safety budget by $.4 million and the county will lose about $23,000 grants for vehicle theft prevention efforts.

Every day in the District of Columbia, approximately 18 vehicles are stolen. These stolen vans, cars, motorcycles, and trucks cost victims time and money, as well as increase everyone’s insurance premiums. Often, stolen vehicles are used to commit other crimes.

The Metropolitan Police Department recommends a “layered approach” to protecting your vehicle. The theory is that the more “layers of protection” you use, the more difficult your vehicle will be to steal. Read the MPDC’s Layered Approach to auto theft prevention.

Read the additional information for auto theft prevention below:

1. Consumer Tips
2. What Is a VIN Number?
3. Types of VIN Scams

Consumer Tips

* Look closely at the vehicle identification number (VIN) plate, located on the driver’s side of the dashboard, to see if it appears tampered with.
* Never buy a used car without getting the vehicle’s title or pink slip at the time you buy it, in person. Double-check the VIN with the number listed on the title, the registration papers, and the federal certification label on the driver’s side door.
* Ask to see identification of the person who is selling you the car; record his/her name, address, phone number, and driver’s license number. Call the phone number before you buy the car. Often, scam artists will provide the phone number of a pay phone.

What Is a VIN Number?

Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) are serial numbers for vehicles that are used to differentiate similar makes and models. Similar to social security numbers, every vehicle has a unique VIN. VIN plates are located on the dashboard and can be viewed through the windshield. Law enforcement agencies use VINs to determine if a vehicle has an active theft record.

Types of VIN Scams

VIN Switch: Thieves use VIN switching to disguise the identity of a stolen vehicle. They will replace the VIN on a stolen vehicle with a VIN that is not recorded as stolen. The thief will then try to resell the stolen car to an unsuspecting customer. Some VIN switchers will also create fraudulent titles and registrations to go along with the vehicle.
Salvage Switch: A vehicle that is extensively damaged, burned, or stripped, and determined not to be eligible for repair is called “salvaged.” Thieves use phony identification to buy a salvaged vehicle just to obtain the title and the VIN.
Strip and Run: This is another scam that thieves use to disguise a stolen car. In this situation, a car thief steals a car, strips it for the parts, then abandons it.

Vehicle thefts have reduced in Michigan in 2007 and stealing a vehicle by hot-wiring is far less common. Between 1986 and 2007, the Automobile Theft Prevention Authority reports, vehicle theft in Michigan dropped 42%. While hot-wire thefts have dropped 16.5 % from 2006 to 2007 in Michigan. According to 2007 figures, thefts in Detroit dropped 14.2 in percentage. By numbers it has reduced from 22,918 to 19,655. Drop in thefts in Detroit was mainly due to a new policy introduced by police officials that people should report auto thefts in person rather than by phone. Troy is a few places where thefts increased to 15.6% from 2006 to 2007. Most of the vehicles were stolen on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays in the months of August, July and June. To prevent thefts, drivers should lock their doors while driving to thwart carjacking, avoid leaving GPS devices, music players or chargers in vehicles.

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.

Today’s car thief works with laptops, digital imaging, and high tech equipment that can circumvent most tracking devices. Car thieves will take a specialty order from a guy in Eastern Europe, steal the car, and even give tips on how to dress while driving it. Specialty orders can include selection of color, interior, rims, sunroof, etc. If they get caught, the penalties charged are much milder in comparison to other offenses like those for dealing narcotics.

According to Agent Horsley, “Car theft has become the profession of choice for those former narcotic traffickers who have made it to their late 30s or 40s and who have the financial backing. These guys are good. They are so good they can get a luxury sport utility vehicle to you faster than the factory.”