Facts About Car Theft

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By Angela Powell Watson
eHow Contributing Writer

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Car theft is formally known as motor-vehicle theft and is also popularly known as grand theft auto. Motor-vehicle theft is the criminal act of stealing or attempting to steal a self-propelled vehicle, which includes cars, buses, motorcycles, trailers and snowmobiles. The term "car theft" usually is used in reference to non-commercial passenger vehicles.
It is a very common crime--one in 170 automobiles is stolen each year in the United States--and the resulting cost to consumers is almost $8 billion annually. Although some types of vehicles are stolen more often than others (see Resources), there are many risk factors that make car theft a problem for automobile owners everywhere.

Methods

One of the most common types of car theft is theft without access to keys, in which the perpetrator breaks into the vehicle and steals it. Another type is theft with access to keys, in which someone (often a relative or friend of the vehicle's owner) takes the car without authorized permission.
Some car thefts are opportunistic thefts, in which there is little premeditation and the thief merely seizes an opportunity to take a vehicle (such as when the owner leaves the car running and goes into a home or store).
Car theft also can occur through carjacking, during which the owner is forcibly removed from the car or taken hostage by the carjacker and forced to drive.

Tools

If the thief does not have access to the car's keys, he may break into the vehicle by smashing the window. However, thieves often use specific tools to avoid drawing attention to themselves. A slide hammer can be used to break into the door lock, and slim-jims are used to unlock the door from the inside. A slim-jim is a rod-and-hook tool that fits between the car window and frame and slides up to unlock the door. A screwdriver or spare wires then may be used to connect the battery source to the starter wires and ignition.

Frequency

The majority of car thefts occur in large metropolitan areas. According to 2007 data, Southern states have the highest number of car thefts, followed closely by Western states. Northeastern states have the lowest.
Most vehicles are stolen from lots where large numbers of vehicles are parked for extended periods of time (such as airports, stadiums, shopping centers and large apartment complexes). Although many vehicles are stolen at night, it is not uncommon for opportunistic thefts to occur in the daytime.

Motivation

Some vehicles are stolen so that the thief has a method of personal transport or for joyriding. Other cars are taken as vehicles to be used in the commission of crimes. If the vehicle is reported to police by witnesses, it would be traced to the owner instead of to the person who committed the crime.
Still other vehicles are stolen for the sale of their parts, either to a local "chop shop" or as part of a larger crime ring. The trafficking of stolen cars is the second most profitable criminal activity, behind only drug trafficking.

Prevention

Cars are less likely to be stolen when parked in high-traffic, well-lit areas. Auto theft is also less common when security or patrolling officers are in the area. Mechanical devices such as the "Club" can be locked to a vehicle's steering wheel, column or brake pedal to prevent the car from being operated. The use of a car alarm has not proved to be a strong deterrent to car theft.