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Auto Theft

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Car Alarms

The single biggest reason for the drop in thefts of newer cars in recent years is the standard fitting of alarms and immobilisers to all new vehicles.

Alarms can deter both car theft and theft from your vehicle, and electronic engine immobilisers are highly effective as they prevent the engine from actually starting. In combination, they are enough to put most car thieves off. Older cars can have alarms and immobilisers fitted to them.

The Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre (MIRRC) also known as Thatcham, has been testing and approving vehicle security systems since 1992. They publish a list of approved products and systems, and recommend a "category one" system automatically activates when you leave the car, an "anti-scan" key-code system and a battery backed-up siren.

If you have already an alarm an engine immobiliser can also be fitted or your alarm can be upgraded to "category one" if it doesn't meet Thatcham standards.

Whilst fitting a Thatcham approved system doesn't guarantee that your car won't be stolen, it will both reduce the risk and your insurance premium as well.

It is also important that the alarm and immobilising systems are fitted properly to your car. The AA recommends installation by a Vehicle Systems Installation Board (VSIB) approved installer.
Other Security Devices
There are many other car security devices available from shops and garages.
You can buy products that:
  • Fit across the steering wheel
  • Attach to the gear stick, handbrake or pedals
  • Wheel clamps

These are fine as deterrents, but note that in tests some of these devices have shown that they can be removed very quickly.

Both the Master Locksmiths Association and insurance industry run schemes that test and approve vehicle security devices.

Other Devices
Other security devices available include:

  • Locking wheel nuts
  • Security posts for your drive way
  • Locking petrol cap
  • Side screen protection film (to stop smash and grab theft)
  • Deadlocks for your car doors
All of which add to the general security of your vehicle. If you already have one or more security devices, or you are thinking of securing an older model vehicle, it is worth checking your car security rating to see if you meet the necessary standard.


                             

posted by transport blogs @ 10:31 PM permanent link   | Post a Comment | 0 comments

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Council Announces Drop In Car Thefts for 14th Straight Year

CHICAGO - The Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Council (MVTPC) today announced its 14th consecutive year of successfully combating car theft in Illinois.

The Council recorded a 3 percent drop in 2005. Seven MVTPC-funded vehicle theft prevention task forces operating in Boone, Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kankakee, Madison, Peoria, St. Clair, Will, and Winnebago counties recovered 1,287 stolen vehicles worth more than $12 million. The task forces also were responsible for 1,934 vehicle theft investigations, 724 arrests, and 345 convictions. The 41,705 vehicles reported stolen in 2005 represented 1,281 fewer stolen than in the previous year.

An arm of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA), the Council allocates grant funding to support programs such as special auto theft task forces and investigative teams, prosecutions, statewide audits of salvage yards, public education, officer training, and data analysis. The Council funded 12 programs in 2005.

"This long-term downward trend in motor vehicle thefts is a direct result of the Council's continued efforts to direct resources to areas in need," said Lori G. Levin, ICJIA executive director.

Nearly 28,000 vehicles worth more than $171 million have been recovered since the Council's inception in 1991. Since the creation of the Council, reports of motor vehicle theft in Illinois have dropped 44 percent. Cook County, which accounted for 73 percent of all car thefts in the state in 2005, recorded a 2 percent drop.

"We are committed to assisting law enforcement efforts around the state with innovative strategies and programs to reduce motor vehicle theft," said Larry G. Trent, MVTPC chair and director of the Illinois State Police.

A $332,667 grant supported ISP's Motor Vehicle Theft Intelligence Clearinghouse, which compiles monthly vehicle theft reports for the Council, provides statewide analyses to motor vehicle theft task forces, issues reports on theft and recovery trends, and tracks geographic data on theft rates. ISP's Motor Vehicle Theft Investigation Training Program was supported with an $88,049 grant and offers classes for patrol officers and insurance industry officials on characteristics and investigation techniques relating tovehicle theft cases.

The following task forces also received grant funding in 2005 to fight motor vehicle theft:

  • DuPage County Auto Theft Task Force received $298,534.
  • Kane County Auto Theft Task Force received $425,633.
  • Metro East Auto Theft Task Force, serving Madison and St. Clair counties, received $619,176.
  • Motor Vehicle Theft Prosecution Unit, serving Cook County, received $589,315.
  • Northeast Metro Auto Theft Task Force, serving Cook County, received $746,345.
  • Northern Illinois Auto Theft Task Force, serving Winnebago and Boone counties, received $500,933.
  • Secretary of State Special Audit Teams received $1,143,000.
  • State and Local Auto Theft Enforcement, serving Peoria County, received $318,278.
  • Tri-County Auto Theft Task Force, serving Grundy, Kankakee, and Will counties, received $783,124.

With the support of the insurance industry, the General Assembly established the Illinois Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Council in 1991 to combat vehicle theft, insurance fraud, and related crimes. The 15-member Council is made up of law enforcement and insurance industry officials. ICJIA staff carries out the day-to-day work of the Council.

MVTPC responsibilities, as listed in the Illinois Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Act, include assessing the scope of motor vehicle theft, particularly in those areas of the state with the highest theft rates, allocating funds made available for the purpose of the act, and developing and implementing strategies to combat motor vehicle theft. The Act also requires that insurance companies licensed to write private passenger comprehensive coverage pay $1 into the fund annually for each vehicle insured in the previous year. Collected and administered by the Council, contributions to the fund totaled $6.3 million in 2005.


                             

posted by transport blogs @ 10:29 PM permanent link   | Post a Comment | 0 comments

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Before Entering Your Car

  1. Be alert to any activity near your car. Pay attention to your surroundings.

  2. When approaching your car, have your key in your hand, and check the back seat before you get in.

  3. If someone is loitering near your unoccupied car as you approach it, keep walking until the person leaves.

  4. Be wary of people asking for directions or handing out flyers. Trust your instincts - if something makes you feel uneasy, get into the car quickly, lock the doors and drive away.


                             

posted by transport blogs @ 11:16 PM permanent link   | Post a Comment | 0 comments

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Understanding Carjacking

  • It is often a crime of opportunity - a thief searching for the most vulnerable prey. Sometimes it's part of another crime.

  • Car thieves may find it easier to steal a car while the owner is there - with the keys in the ignition - than to break into a car, especially if the car has an alarm.

  • Cars equipped with sophisticated, built-in alarm systems and theft-deterrent devices are becoming harder to steal.

  • Cars, especially luxury models, provide quick cash for drug users and other criminals.

  • Carjacking may be a rite of passage, an initiation act, or just a thrill for some.


                             

posted by transport blogs @ 10:38 PM permanent link   | Post a Comment | 0 comments

Sunday, August 24, 2008

What is VIN Etching?

VIN Etching is a way to mark your vehicle to make it harder for an auto thief to resell the vehicle or it's parts. VIN Etching uses a chemical to etch the Vehicle (VIN) numbers on all the windows of your vehicle. This process does not have any adverse effects on the windows, is almost invisible, and it is permanent. A sticker much like the Operation ID sticker used in burglary prevention programs is affixed to one of the car windows notifying a would-be thief that the windows are etched.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) and law enforcement agencies nationwide, believe that etching your vehicle identification number (VIN) onto the vehicle's windows provides an important deterrent to auto thieves. Given the option, most car thieves will take a vehicle that is harder to trace, leaving an etched vehicle alone. VIN Etching is inexpensive, can be done in as little as ten minutes, is permanent, and may lessen the owners overall cost of insurance (if your insurance company offers a discount for having the vehicle etched). It is one of the easiest Crime Prevention tools to use; because once it is done it requires nothing of the vehicle owner to maintain it.


                             

posted by transport blogs @ 10:06 PM permanent link   | Post a Comment | 0 comments

Friday, August 22, 2008

What is a bait car?

A Bait Car is a specially outfitted vehicle that is left randomly in areas where car thefts have been occurring. When the car is broken into, a signal is sent to the 9-1-1 communications center, much like what happens when a bank is robbed. The car is equipped with a type of Geographic Position System that shows where it is and the direction of travel. Once patrol officers have located the vehicle, a switch can be turned that shuts the vehicle off, leaving the car thief stranded in a dead, locked vehicle. Officers then move in for an arrest. Additionally, the Bait car is equipped with video cameras that are activated when the car is initially broken into. This video can be used during ensuing court hearings to support the case against the thief.


                             

posted by transport blogs @ 9:59 PM permanent link   | Post a Comment | 0 comments

Thursday, August 21, 2008

When you are in your car

  • Keep your doors and windows locked, no matter how short the distance or how "safe" the neighborhood.
  • When you're coming to a stop, leave enough space to maneuver around other cars. If you sense trouble, this will allow you the room needed to get away.
  • If a suspicious-looking person approaches your car, drive away carefully.
  • Drive in the inside (center) lane to make it more difficult for would-be carjackers to approach your car.
  • Don't stop to assist a stranger whose car has broken down. Instead, help by driving to the nearest phone or using your cell phone to call the police for help.


                             

posted by transport blogs @ 10:32 PM permanent link   | Post a Comment | 0 comments

Thursday, August 14, 2008

What attracts a car thief?

  • Leaving your car unlocked or the windows down.
  • Leaving your keys in the car or a spare key hidden in the car.
  • Leaving your car unattended.
  • Parking in poorly lit places with low visability.
  • Leaving valuables and packages in your car.
  • Cars not protected with an anti-theft device.


                             

posted by transport blogs @ 3:07 AM permanent link   | Post a Comment | 0 comments

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

How to protect your car?

  • Don't leave your keys in your car.
  • Close your windows and lock your doors whenever you leave your car, regardless of how long you plan to be gone.
  • Park in well-lit areas.
  • Keep your car in a garage if you have one.
  • Park in lots that have attendants.
  • Use an anti-theft device whenever you leave your car .
  • When parking your car, turn your wheels toward the curb to make it more difficult for a thief to "tow" your car.
  • Use your emergency break when you park.
  • Engrave our driver's license number preceded by the state letters (WA D.L.) or your car's Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on any removable equipment in your car.
  • Replace "T-shaped" door locks with straight locks so thieves cannot grab them with an implement through a crack in the window.
  • Immediately report any suspicious activity to the police


                             

posted by transport blogs @ 9:46 PM permanent link   | Post a Comment | 0 comments

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Auto-Theft Suspect Arrested After Pursuit

Riverside, Ca- Officers of the Riverside Police Department initiated a pursuit of a stolen Honda sedan in the area of Gramercy Place and Crest Avenue. A lone suspect attempting to escape drove in and around several streets in the Arlanza neighborhood. The vehicle pursuit lasted almost eight minutes and passed by the campus of Norte Vista High School.

At one point, the suspect deliberately drove the vehicle across traffic lanes and directly at assisting police units. Those officers were able to avoid collision with the suspect vehicle and later assisted in the arrest.

The suspect abandoned the vehicle at 8655 Arlington and fled on foot. He was captured after a short foot pursuit into a nearby apartment complex.

There were no collisions as a result of the pursuit and there was no interruption to activities at Norte Vista High. The pursued vehicle was stolen from the City of Anaheim. The suspect was identified as:

Richard Raul Hurtado, DOB 3-26-72

Hurtado is a resident of Anaheim. He was booked for felony charges of evading a police officer, assault with a deadly weapon (the stolen vehicle), auto theft, possession of stolen property and violation of parole.


                             

posted by transport blogs @ 10:25 PM permanent link   | Post a Comment | 0 comments

Friday, August 8, 2008

Police Pursuit of Grand Theft Auto Suspect

Riverside, Ca- Riverside Police responded to a call of a grand theft auto that just occurred in the La Sierra area of Riverside. The responding officer contacted the victim and broadcast a description of the suspect vehicle to other police units in the area.

The stolen vehicle, a 2000 Ford Excursion towing a horse trailer, was observed by one of the units in the area of Pierce and Golden Streets and the officers attempted to stop the vehicle. The suspect in the stolen vehicle accelerated away from the officers and a pursuit was initiated.

The suspect drove the stolen vehicle at a high rate of speed and committed numerous California Vehicle Code Violations including reckless driving and hit and run during the pursuit. The pursuit covered many miles of surface streets within the city limits and lasted for approximately one hour.

At one point late in the pursuit, officers were able to successfully deploy spike strips and deflated tires on both the stolen vehicle and the trailer it was towing. The pursuit ended at Allesandro and Century where the suspect was taken into custody without incident.

The suspect is a male 17 year old juvenile who was wanted on a no bail warrant on another grand theft auto and pursuit case in which he was involved and injured approximately 6 months ago. The suspect has been booked into Juvenile Hall for the no bail warrant and the new charges from this investigation.

An additional adult female was arrested on charges of grand theft auto stemming from this incident. She is allegedly the girlfriend of the suspect and arrived at the location of the grand theft auto with the juvenile in another stolen vehicle and was following the juvenile when the police pursuit began. The victim from the theft of the Ford Excursion followed the female as she attempted to leave the area in the other stolen vehicle. The female suspect was arrested without incident and the vehicle has been recovered. No injuries were reported as a result of this incident. The horse trailer was empty during this incident. RPD File Number P3 02 043 297


                             

posted by transport blogs @ 9:40 PM permanent link   | Post a Comment | 0 comments

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Some of Warning Devices for Auto Theft

The layer of protection is a visible or audible device which alerts thieves that your vehicle is protected. Popular second layer devices include:

  • Audible alarm
  • Steering column collars
  • Steering wheel/brake pedal lock
  • Brake locks
  • Wheel locks
  • Tire locks/tire deflators
  • Theft deterrent decals
  • Identification markers in or on vehicle
  • Window etching
  • Laminated glass


                                 

    posted by transport blogs @ 12:44 AM permanent link   | Post a Comment | 2 comments

    Sunday, August 3, 2008

    What You Can Do

    No amount of prevention can guarantee that your car will not be stolen, but by taking a few simple precautions you can greatly reduce your chances of becoming another auto theft victim.

    • Close your windows, lock your doors, conceal your valuables and take your keys.
    • Use a steering column locking device.
    • Engrave your vehicle ID number on your windshield.
    • Use an alarm that shuts off your electrical or fuel systems when activated.
    • Park your car in well lighted, well traveled areas.
    • Put all packages out of sight.
    • Install a hidden ignition "kill" switch.
    • Park your car in your garage at home.
    • Do not store spare keys in or around your vehicle.
    • Participate in "Watch Your Car" anti-theft program.


                                 

    posted by transport blogs @ 10:29 PM permanent link   | Post a Comment | 0 comments

     

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