In reversal of nationwide trends, CHP reports fewer vehicle thefts

Bucking a national trend, vehicle thefts dropped in California last year to their lowest level since 2014.

The California Highway Patrol reported a 6.2 percent decline in thefts of cars, SUVs and trucks, compared to a 4 percent increase across the country. California still has the most vehicles stolen — thanks to its large population and warm weather. It’s easier swiping a car here year-round compared to Iowa in freezing winter.

But there are reasons for the falling rate, said CHP officer Art Montiel.

“The CHP and local law enforcement vehicle task forces are teaming up more,” the Redwood City-based officer said. “Technological advances, such as bait cars, license plate readers and the public have helped

to identify and locate stolen vehicles and catch thieves.”

In addition, the DMV is cracking down on so-called chop shops where stolen cars are stripped down for their coveted parts and sold.

In 2017, 175,351 vehicles were stolen in California at an estimated value of $1.3 billion. Many of California's largest counties reported decreases in thefts — down 13.7 percent in San Francisco, 13.3 percent in Santa Cruz, 10.9 percent in Contra Costa, 10.3 percent

in Alameda and 7.1 percent in San Mateo.

Thefts were up 1.3 percent in Santa Clara County, while many smaller, rural counties also saw increases. The CHP reports that a vehicle is stolen every three minutes in the Golden State.

The most likely cars to be stolen were Hondas — the 1998 and 2000 Civic and the 1997 Accord. The most likely SUVs also were Hondas — the 1999, 2001 and 1998 CRVs.

“On today's (older) cars and trucks, the parts are often worth more than the intact vehicle and may be easier to move and sell,”

said Jim Schweitzer of The National Insurance Crime Bureau in a recent Forbes Magazine article. “For the professional theft ring, stealing and stripping vehicles for parts has always been a lucrative business.

“That's why we see so many thefts of key items like wheels and tires and tailgates. There's always a market for them.”

Most older models are easier to steal. Many lack smart key technology that prevents a car's engine from starting unless it recognizes a computer chip embedded in a key fob. Newer models also are more likely to have advanced anti-theft technology.

Horn alarms, steeringwheel locks, theft-deterrent decals, flashing lights, and window etching are more common in new cars. And gaining popularity are immobilizing tools that prevent thieves from bypassing the ignition system and hotwiring the vehicle. Some incorporate computer chips in ignition keys or disable the flow of electricity or fuel to the engine.

Before immobilizers were introduced more than a decade ago, practically any car could be started without a key within seconds, as Diane Case found out. Her 1997 Honda Civic has been stolen twice in two years.

“After the first time, I got a club,” the Sunnyvale woman said. “but they were able to get around that.”

So now she had a kill switch/alarm installed which prevents the ignition from starting up. The car has not been stolen again.

“Vehicle theft is a crime of opportunity; do not make it easy for a thief to gain access to your vehicle,” said CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley. “Law enforcement can't solve this. A little bit of prevention will go a long way.”