Some cities are reporting major hikes in auto thefts with more cars left parked than out on the … [+]
Police departments in many areas of the U.S. are reporting sudden increases in auto thefts, largely due to the shelter-in-place recommendations to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. And this is with more serious crimes having dropped dramatically during the pandemic.
With far fewer motorists taking to the streets and highways and leaving their vehicles parked unattended for days at a time, criminals are able to pick their targets with greater abandon. This is especially true among city dwellers that often leave their cars parked on the streets and are able to walk to stores and other essential businesses.
The Associated Press reports that the number of pilfered cars, trucks, and SUVs have soared by a whopping 63 percent in New York City through May 15 so far this year, with vehicle thefts up by around 17 percent over the same period in Los Angeles. Salt Lake City has seen a 22 percent jump in car thefts.
Auto theft is a reasonably low risk criminal activity with sizeable rewards. Those with a criminal bent and are otherwise out of work may be pushed to try their hand at stealing cars because of mounting bills or a drug habit. With schools closed, teenagers can be roaming the streets looking for a little action. Apparently, there are videos that show how to quickly break into common vehicles posted on YouTube.
Stealing a car is also made a great deal easier when it’s left unlocked, and is especially a snap when the keys are left in the ignition, or a keyless entry fob is sitting a storage bin or cupholder. A reported 72 percent of the 322 autos purloined in Austin, Texas last month had their keys nearby. A Ford Escape was stolen over the Memorial Day weekend in Chicago from a 7-Eleven parking lot because the owner dashed into the store and left the vehicle running (it was later involved in a fatal hit-and-run incident according to police reports).
This is not a new trend, either. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau thieves drove off over 229,000 vehicles over a three-year period, simply because the keys were left in them.
Typically, the most stolen cars aren’t flashy sports cars or luxury models, but are well-worn vehicles that would otherwise go unnoticed in a crowded parking lot. They’re mostly sedans and pickup trucks that, when new, were among the best-selling rides on the road. Older cars are most frequently targeted for their parts. They’re typically broken into and driven off – sometimes they’re even towed away – to a so-called “chop shop,” where they’re quickly dismantled. The parts are then sold off to unsuspecting consumers, usually via the Internet, as well as unscrupulous vendors and repair shops.
Some thieves are particularly talented at being able to strip a vehicle of certain parts – airbags and catalytic converters are highly coveted in this regard – right where it’s parked. A crook was reportedly arrested with 13 stolen catalytic converters found in the vehicle during a recent traffic stop.
Law enforcement officials urge drivers staying at home during the pandemic to check on their cars periodically. Going a step further, car care experts advise a vehicle should be driven from time to time to ensure its battery won’t become discharged from sitting parked for too long.
Otherwise the usual cautions apply. These include parking in a well-lit area, locking the car, and taking the keys or remote key fob with you. And never leave packages or bags, mobile phones, or other portable devices within a car wherever it’s parked – always secure valuables in the trunk or hide them under seats or in the glove box to avoid catching a smash-and-grab artist’s eye.
