Vehicle theft is the nation's number one property crime, with 1.2 million vehicles stolen, costing an estimated $8.2 billion, according to the most recent FBI Uniform Crime Reports (ca 2001). What's even more disconcerting is the fact that the vehicle recovery rate has dropped substantially from about 84% in early 1990 to a mere 62% in 2001*. If law enforcement is unable to recapture your assets for you, who will?

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Stats In 2003, 1.2 million vehicles were reported stolen, up 5.7% from 2002. In the United States, One vehicle is stolen every 25.7 seconds. The national stolen vehicle recovery rate is 62%. The estimated total value of vehicles stolen nationwide was $8.2 billion. The average value per vehicle was $6,646 at the time of theft.

 

National Insurance Crime Bureau Facts

Thieves typically choose these vehicles because of their huge profit potential when the cars are stripped down to their components, which then supply a vast black market for stolen parts.(2003)

Hundreds of thousands of stolen U.S. vehicles are shipped overseas or driven across U.S. borders each year.

Vehicle theft is the costliest property crime in the U.S., costing consumers more than $8.2 billion annually.

Newer models are more likely to be illegally shipped abroad, while older vehicles are mainly stolen for their parts.

The popularity of Mini Vans, Pickups, Trucks, and Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) is making them an increasingly attractive target for thieves.

Most chop shop operators make two to four times a vehicles actual worth by selling its parts separately. Most skilled chop shop operators can surgically strip a car in less than 30 minutes.

In 2003, the NICB returned nearly 2,000 stolen U.S. vehicles from Mexico, worth approximately $19 million.

Export rings meet the demand for American-made cars, trucks, and utility vehicle in developing countries by stealing vehicles from the U.S. and shipping them across international borders and overseas for resale.

Nearly 40% of all vehicle thefts occur in or near ports or border communities.

Theft is higher at port areas because thieves can easily ship or drive vehicles across borders and then sell them on the black market in other countries.

In 2003, close to 450,000 cars and trucks were stolen nationwide in metropolitan areas with ports or in those close to international borders.

2005 Top 10 stolen vehicles nationally

1. Cadillac Escalade EXT
2. Nissan Maxima
3. Cadillac Escalade SUV
4. Dodge Stratus
5. Honda Accord
6. Dodge Intrepid
7. Toyota Corolla
8. Ford Taurus
9. Chevrolet Full Size Pickup
10. Ford F150 Pickup

 

Imports are hot targets among American car thieves.

The most populous states have the highest number of vehicle thefts.

California led the pack, followed by New York, Florida, Michigan, Texas, New Jersey, and Illinois. The "safest" states for vehicles

(States with the lowest vehicle theft rates) are North and South Dakota, Wyoming, Vermont, Alaska, and Montana. With pickup trucks' popularity growing, not only are the pickup trucks themselves in demand, pickup truck parts are in demand as well. Vehicle theft closely follows consumers' choices.

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