• Call the police immediately and provide a complete description of the vehicle and any property taken from it, including a stolen license plate. Vehicles should be described by: year, make, model, color(s), VIN, insurance company and policy number, license plate number and state, and name of any tracking and locator system installed in the vehicle. Property should be described by type, make, model, serial number, and fair market value. (It is important to report all vehicle crimes to the SDPD even if the loss is small and you are not planning to file an insurance claim. This enables the Department to assess the magnitude and nature of the problem and assign prevention, patrol, and enforcement assets accordingly.)


• Etch your driver's license number on all removable valuable items, e.g., audio equipment. Also etch the number on various places on the vehicle itself.


• Don't leave your driver's license in the vehicle.


• Keep a record of the VIN, license plate number, and insurance information in your wallet or purse. Also be able to provide the information listed above for any property that might be stolen from the vehicle.


• Don't leave your vehicle title (pink slip) in the vehicle.


• Install a vehicle tracking and location system that can be activated after the vehicle is reported as stolen.

Labels: Recovering a Stolen Vehicle