Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Exotic car rental company owner uses GPS to thwart international auto theft ring]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/26/exotic-car-rental-company-owner-uses-gps-to-thwart-international/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/26/exotic-car-rental-company-owner-uses-gps-to-thwart-international/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/26/exotic-car-rental-company-owner-uses-gps-to-thwart-international/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Exotic car rental company owner uses GPS to thwart international auto theft ring

Watching television news can be depressing. Between the political rancor of election season and the "if it bleeds, it leads" mentality of most news directors, positive stories are scarce. But here's one that should make any lover of fine automobiles pleased.

The story, as reported by CBS This Morning, starts when the owner of a Los Angeles-based rental car company that specializes in exotics and luxury cars noticed that one of his vehicles was uncharacteristically sitting still for a few days after being rented. The $2,000-per-day 2010 Ferrari 458 Italia was equipped with a GPS tracking system, and the Italian Stallion's lack of use made Eric Blumberg suspicious. So he notified the police, who eventually found the car - in Hong Kong. It had been shipped through the Port of Los Angeles, labeled as "used fitness equipment," according to the Los Angeles Times.

It seems that the would-be joyrider who had "rented" the Ferrari was part of an international crime syndicate worthy of a screenplay, according to the CBS report. When the police investigated further, they found between 15 and 20 other vehicles that were being loaded into shipping containers and exported to Asia, a total of $1.5 million worth of four-wheeled loot.

The investigators told CBS that the vehicles can command up to twice their value overseas. While no arrests have yet been made in the case, at least these cars now have a chance of being returned to their rightful owners.

Scroll down to watch the full report.

Continue reading Exotic car rental company owner uses GPS to thwart international auto theft ring

Exotic car rental company owner uses GPS to thwart international auto theft ring originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 ferrari 458 italia458 Italiaauto theftauto theft ringcar rentalcar theftexotic car rentalferrarigpstheft ringvideoThu, 26 Apr 2012 16:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20225125/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/26/exotic-car-rental-company-owner-uses-gps-to-thwart-international/20225125/article-detail.xml 20225125 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/smuggling-ring-opt-1335467205_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/smuggling-ring-opt-1335467205.jpg <![CDATA[Richmond police will now wake you up at night if you leave valuables in your car [w/poll]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/11/richmond-police-will-now-wake-you-up-at-night-if-you-leave-valua/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/11/richmond-police-will-now-wake-you-up-at-night-if-you-leave-valua/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/11/richmond-police-will-now-wake-you-up-at-night-if-you-leave-valua/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Richmond PD Wake-Up call report screencap

We don't envy local law enforcement, especially in a city like Richmond, Virginia. Charged with keeping the public safe from a variety of ill forces, the job is about as thankless as they come. Recently, the RPD has adopted a new initiative in an attempt to curb vehicle break-ins. Officers on the night shift now check vehicles for valuables left in plain sight, and when they find them, the police stop by the vehicle's owner's home for a little chat. All of these "wake up calls" are most likely to occur between midnight and 4:00 a.m. in order to teach car owners a lesson about protecting themselves from crime.

While removing or stashing high-dollar electronics before leaving your car parked overnight may seem like simple common sense, critics of the plan suggest that punishing those who refuse or forget to do so with a late-night wake-up call is beyond the scope of law enforcement - particularly as it applies to vehicles parked on private property. Watch the WBBC 12 NBC local news report on the initiative by scrolling below, then voice your opinion in our poll and in Comments.

View Poll

Continue reading Richmond police will now wake you up at night if you leave valuables in your car [w/poll]

Richmond police will now wake you up at night if you leave valuables in your car [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto theftbreak-incar theftcrackdowncrime preventionlaw enforcementpolicerichmondrichmond policevideowake-up callWed, 11 Apr 2012 19:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20213290/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/11/richmond-police-will-now-wake-you-up-at-night-if-you-leave-valua/20213290/article-detail.xml 20213290 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/richmond-pd-wake-up-calls-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/richmond-pd-wake-up-calls-628.jpg <![CDATA[Infographic: LoJack releases 2011 Auto Theft Report]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/15/infographic-lojack-releases-2011-auto-theft-report/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/15/infographic-lojack-releases-2011-auto-theft-report/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/15/infographic-lojack-releases-2011-auto-theft-report/#commentsFiled under: , ,

LoJack Infographic

By all accounts, vehicle theft is down to some of the lowest levels in over 25 years. Even so, cars are still getting pilfered every day, and LoJack has gone through the trouble of crafting a detailed infographic displaying some of the more interesting information associated with the 10,251 LoJack-equipped vehicles that were stolen and then recovered last year. The company says that, of all vehicles equipped with the theft recovery system, 92 percent are brought back to their rightful owners. Last year, the most stolen and recovered 2011 model was the ubiquitous 2011 Toyota Camry, while the Honda Accord took the top slot overall.

The oldest model saved from the clutches of thieves in 2011 was a 1948 Chevrolet Fleetline, while the priciest of them all was a 2010 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG worth $116,825. Not too shabby.

Not surprisingly, California led the list of states with the most stolen and recovered vehicles, with Texas, Florida, New York and New Jersey fleshing out the top five. The full, expanded infographic can be seen below.

Continue reading Infographic: LoJack releases 2011 Auto Theft Report

Infographic: LoJack releases 2011 Auto Theft Report originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Mar 2012 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car theftinfographiclojacklojack infographicstolen carstolen carstheftvehicle theftThu, 15 Mar 2012 16:32:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20192145/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/15/infographic-lojack-releases-2011-auto-theft-report/20192145/article-detail.xml 20192145 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/lojack-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/lojack-628.jpg <![CDATA[Car thief lands Saturn on Fresno roof]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/06/car-thief-lands-saturn-on-fresno-roof/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/06/car-thief-lands-saturn-on-fresno-roof/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/06/car-thief-lands-saturn-on-fresno-roof/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Saturn on a roof

Residents of a Fresno, California apartment building recently awoke to debris falling from their ceiling after a car thief managed to execute a perfect parking job on the structure's roof. Police say 26-year-old Benjamin Tucker stole the Saturn sedan from a nearby house before striking either a curb or some rocks, vaulting the vehicle into the air and onto the roof. After seeing his predicament, Tucker leapt from the roof and fled the scene. Or at least he tried to. Tucker broke his leg in the fall and only made it around a quarter of a mile from the crash when police picked him up.

No one else was harmed in the stunt.

Tucker had two outstanding warrants for his arrest at the time for a hit-and-run and evading police. A special crane had to be called in to remove the Saturn from the apartment roof and the structure will indeed require repairs. Hit the jump for a news report on the incident.

Continue reading Car thief lands Saturn on Fresno roof

Car thief lands Saturn on Fresno roof originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Jan 2012 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apartmentcar theftcrashgrand theft autogtaroofsaturnsaturn crashsaturn parked on roofvideoFri, 06 Jan 2012 12:32:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20142084/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/06/car-thief-lands-saturn-on-fresno-roof/20142084/article-detail.xml 20142084 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/saturn-on-roof-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/saturn-on-roof-628.jpg <![CDATA[New car seat concept uses your butt print as identification]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/30/new-car-seat-concept-uses-your-butt-print-as-identification/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/30/new-car-seat-concept-uses-your-butt-print-as-identification/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/30/new-car-seat-concept-uses-your-butt-print-as-identification/#commentsFiled under: , ,



If Fido can distinguish people and other pooches by their backsides, why not a seat? When students at the Advanced Institute of Industrial Technology in Tokyo, Japan asked that question, they came up with a car seat fitted with 360 sensors that makes a map of the pressure applied by your posterior. Among the six rumps tested, the seat was 98 percent accurate at sorting one from another.

The ultimate aim is to work with automakers to develop an anti-theft solution that would be available in the next few years. With such a small testing pool, it's too early to start asking the difficult questions about real-world viability (especially when you start to factor in things like different articles of clothing, Costanza wallets, and so on), but we have a feeling this kind of technology will find an application somewhere.

New car seat concept uses your butt print as identification originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Dec 2011 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advanced institute of industrial technologyanti-theftbuttcar seatcar seatingcar theftidentificationseatingsecurity systemtokyoFri, 30 Dec 2011 14:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20137596/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/30/new-car-seat-concept-uses-your-butt-print-as-identification/20137596/article-detail.xml 20137596 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/buttseatid_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/buttseatid.jpg <![CDATA[NHTSA report reveals most stolen vehicles, theft rate declining]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/07/nhtsa-report-reveals-most-stolen-vehicles-theft-rate-declining/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/07/nhtsa-report-reveals-most-stolen-vehicles-theft-rate-declining/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/07/nhtsa-report-reveals-most-stolen-vehicles-theft-rate-declining/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Audi S8

According to Automotive News, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a new report on vehicle theft rates in 2009, and as it turns out, the Audi S8, Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 and BMW M5 had the highest theft rates of the year. The report specifically focuses on passenger cars and excludes vehicles like pickup trucks and SUVs. Technically, only two S8 sedans were reported stolen in 2009, but since Audi only produced 227 units that year and the report uses a number of thefts per vehicles produced ratio, the high performance luxury sedan took the crown. The flip side of that coin, however, is that high-volume models like the Toyota Camry, which have a higher number of thefts, aren't as clearly represented in the results.

The Camry was the best-selling passenger car in 2009, and that crown helped see 781 stolen from their owners. Compare that figure to the second-most stolen vehicle in the report; the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, which had just five units out of 581 stolen.

Overall, NHTSA says that the vehicle theft rate declined by 21.3 percent in 2009 compared to 2008.

NHTSA report reveals most stolen vehicles, theft rate declining originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Nov 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20092009 most stolen carscamrycar theftm5most stolen carsNational Highway Traffic Safety Administrationnhtsas8Mon, 07 Nov 2011 18:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20100562/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/11/07/nhtsa-report-reveals-most-stolen-vehicles-theft-rate-declining/20100562/article-detail.xml 20100562 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/audi-s8-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/audi-s8-628.jpg <![CDATA[Corvette with dead battery traps would-be thief]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/25/corvette-with-dead-battery-traps-would-be-thief/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/25/corvette-with-dead-battery-traps-would-be-thief/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/25/corvette-with-dead-battery-traps-would-be-thief/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Corvette door handle

Here's a useful tip for all you would-be Chevrolet Corvette thieves out there: If you happen to find yourself in a Vette with the windows up and the doors locked when the battery goes dead, there's an actual mechanical release for the door mechanism squirreled away inside.

We won't tell you exactly where it is, because, well, that sort of takes the fun out of things. Just ask one would-be joyrider in Price George, British Columbia. The 21-year-old man saw a Corvette idling with the door open, hopped inside, rolled up the windows and locked the doors. What he didn't see was that the owner had just put away his battery charger.

When the thief stalled the car trying to back out of the driveway, he found himself in one very dead piece of American engineering with no way to escape (that he knew of). Despite his efforts to break the side glass with a hatchet and pry open the door with a screw driver, police arrived on the scene and were happy to help him out of the vehicle and into a cell after charging him with multiple theft and weapons offenses.

Corvette with dead battery traps would-be thief originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Oct 2011 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car theftchevroletchevrolet corvettecorvettecorvette thiefcorvette traps thiefgrand theft autothiefTue, 25 Oct 2011 11:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20089780/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/25/corvette-with-dead-battery-traps-would-be-thief/20089780/article-detail.xml 20089780 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/corvette-door-handle_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/corvette-door-handle.jpg <![CDATA[Resourceful thief lifts Jeep from dealer using crane]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/20/resourceful-thief-lifts-jeep-from-dealer-using-crane/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/20/resourceful-thief-lifts-jeep-from-dealer-using-crane/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/20/resourceful-thief-lifts-jeep-from-dealer-using-crane/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Security camera screen capture

A car thief in La Porte, Indiana recently put his own spin on the old smash-and-grab routine. The enterprising individual drove a flatbed truck that would typically be used for logging onto a car lot after hours on Sunday, October 16. Our man hopped out and used a giant crane to hook a 2008 Jeep Wrangler through the roof and drop it onto the bed. The whole operation took less than six minutes, though the crime's brevity didn't stop police from tracking down a suspect fairly quickly. Officials arrested a suspect in connection with the theft on Wednesday, October 19.

The Wrangler had a snow plow attached, and Matt Magnuson, general manager at La Porte Chrysler, said that the vehicle had sold that Saturday for $25,000. Magnuson also said that in all of his years selling vehicles, he had never seen anything quite like the stunt pulled off on his lot. Hit the jump to check out the video of the theft for yourself.

Continue reading Resourceful thief lifts Jeep from dealer using crane

Resourceful thief lifts Jeep from dealer using crane originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car theftcar thiefcranegrand theft autola porte chryslertheftthieftruckThu, 20 Oct 2011 14:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20086399/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/20/resourceful-thief-lifts-jeep-from-dealer-using-crane/20086399/article-detail.xml 20086399 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/la-porte-chrysler-theft_thumbnail.gif http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/la-porte-chrysler-theft.gif <![CDATA[Grand Theft Auto goes high-tech in the digital age]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/29/grand-theft-auto-goes-high-tech/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/29/grand-theft-auto-goes-high-tech/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/29/grand-theft-auto-goes-high-tech/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Modern Car Thieves Outsmart The Law By Cloning

car theft

Car thieves are adopting depressingly creative ways to clone cars.
When it comes to car theft, the good news is that law enforcement has become so good that theft rates have dropped for a decade. The bad news is that this is forcing car thieves to become far more clever and daring than they ever were in the past.

Not long ago, chop shops were the favorite fence for car thieves. They'd drop off a stolen vehicle where it would get "chopped" into its most lucrative parts and sold off for big profits. But today, chop shops are practically passé. Now car thieves find it faster, safer and more profitable to "clone" a car.

Cloning is not a new practice, but it's becoming more and more popular. It involves stealing a car, then creating a new title and VIN for it, but doing it in a way that makes it very difficult for law enforcement to track. And car thieves are adopting depressingly creative ways to clone cars.

John McElroyJohn McElroy is host of the TV program "Autoline Detroit" and daily web video "Autoline Daily". Every month he brings his unique insights as a Detroit insider to Autoblog readers.

Continue reading Grand Theft Auto goes high-tech in the digital age

Grand Theft Auto goes high-tech in the digital age originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autoline dailyautoline on autoblogcar cloningcar theftcar thieveschop shopjohn mcelroyopinionThu, 29 Sep 2011 18:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20068134/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/09/29/grand-theft-auto-goes-high-tech/20068134/article-detail.xml 20068134 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/auto-theft_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/auto-theft.jpg <![CDATA[Cadillac Escalade still thieves' favorite target]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/25/cadillac-escalade-still-thieves-favorite-target/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/25/cadillac-escalade-still-thieves-favorite-target/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/25/cadillac-escalade-still-thieves-favorite-target/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

cadillac escalade hybrid

If you own a Cadillac Escalade, you better keep one eye on it at all times. According to the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI), the Escalade is still the apple of a car thief's eye. The large luxury SUV is six times more likely to be plucked away by thieves than average. If you happen to have the truck-like EXT Escalade, you're in even worse shape since 14 out of every 1,000 vehicles insured wind up with a theft claim.

On the flipside, if you're the proud owner of an Audi A6 then you can rest easy. Car thieves aren't hunting for your particular mid-size luxury sedan. Want to know what vehicles round out the top and bottom ten from the perspective of a car thief? Well, at least according to the HLDI. Click past the jump for the full press release.

Interestingly, General Motors decided to respond to the HLDI's findings, and you can find the press release from Cadillac after the break as well.

Continue reading Cadillac Escalade still thieves' favorite target

Cadillac Escalade still thieves' favorite target originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Aug 2011 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cadillaccadillac escaladecar theftescaladehighway loss data institutehldiiihsstolen carsThu, 25 Aug 2011 17:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20026725/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/08/25/cadillac-escalade-still-thieves-favorite-target/20026725/article-detail.xml 20026725 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/09-cadillac-escalade-hybrid-platinum_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/09-cadillac-escalade-hybrid-platinum.jpg <![CDATA[Domestics make gains on unfortunate list... 10 Most Stolen Cars]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/02/domestics-make-gains-on-unfortunate-list-10-most-stolen-cars/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/02/domestics-make-gains-on-unfortunate-list-10-most-stolen-cars/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/02/domestics-make-gains-on-unfortunate-list-10-most-stolen-cars/#commentsFiled under: ,

Most Stolen Vehicles of 2010 graphic

Domestic automakers have outpaced their import counterparts on the top ten list of most stolen vehicles for the first time since 2002. According to a new report by the National Insurance Crime Bureau, Ford vehicles took three places on the Most Stolen Vehicles of 2010 list, while two Chevrolet and two Dodge models also made the cut. To be fair, only the 1999 Chevrolet full-size pickup (read: Silverado) and 1997 Ford F-150 broke into the top five - those models landed themselves in fourth and fifth place, respectively. The podium spots go to the 1994 Honda Accord in first, the 1995 Honda Civic in second and the 1991 Toyota Camry in third.

Even though thieves seem to have cultivated a taste for domestic models, vehicle theft on the whole has continued to decline. NICB says that early FBI crime statistics for 2010 indicated a substantial 7.2 percent decrease in stolen vehicles over 2009. Once verified, that will give 2010 the honor of being the year with the fewest stolen vehicles since 1967. Hit the jump for the press release.

Continue reading Domestics make gains on unfortunate list... 10 Most Stolen Cars

Domestics make gains on unfortunate list... 10 Most Stolen Cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Aug 2011 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto insuranceauto theftcar theftmost stolenmost stolen carsmost stolen vehiclesnational insurance crime bureaunicbstolen carsTue, 02 Aug 2011 15:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20007321/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/08/02/domestics-make-gains-on-unfortunate-list-10-most-stolen-cars/20007321/article-detail.xml 20007321 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/most-stolen-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/most-stolen-630.jpg <![CDATA[Auto theft drops to lowest level since 1967]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/22/auto-theft-drops-to-lowest-level-since-1967/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/22/auto-theft-drops-to-lowest-level-since-1967/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/22/auto-theft-drops-to-lowest-level-since-1967/#commentsFiled under: ,

Grand Theft Auto video game

Vehicle theft in the U.S. fell by 7.2 percent in 2010. Around 737,404 vehicles were stolen last year, compared to the 794,616 autos pilfered in 2009. That marks the lowest number of stolen vehicles in the U.S. of A. since 1967, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

Why the decline? New York City, Detroit, Dallas, Miami and Los Angeles - all previous hot beds for grand theft auto - saw their numbers drop in 2010, and Automotive News reports that new anti-theft technology is going a long way toward curbing the crime.

With several insurance companies offering discounts to customers who install anti-theft systems from LoJack or Ravelco, there's more incentive than ever to protect yourself from car thieves. In addition, the NICB says that cars today are simply more difficult to steal than they were 10 years ago.

Law enforcement has also stepped up its game by using bait vehicles to lure in possible thieves. Officers stake out a vehicle with its windows down and its keys in the ignition and wait for crooks to come by. It's apparently working.

Auto theft drops to lowest level since 1967 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Jun 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car theftgrand theft autonational insurance crime bureaunicbstolen carstolen carsstolen vehiclesWed, 22 Jun 2011 09:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19972620/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/06/22/auto-theft-drops-to-lowest-level-since-1967/19972620/article-detail.xml 19972620 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/grand-theft-auto_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/grand-theft-auto.jpg <![CDATA[Car thieves still love Honda according to LoJack annual report]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/15/car-thieves-still-love-honda-according-to-lojack-annual-report/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/15/car-thieves-still-love-honda-according-to-lojack-annual-report/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/15/car-thieves-still-love-honda-according-to-lojack-annual-report/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Honda Accord top stolen car of 2010
LoJack says the Honda Accord was the most stolen vehicle of 2010 - Click above for high-res image gallery

lojack logo Theft prevention and recovery company LoJack knows a lot about stolen vehicles. It also knows a lot about getting those vehicles back. In 2010, the company says that fully 90 percent of vehicles equipped with its car tracking hardware was recovered.

LoJack has been at this game for a while, and last year, it started to release its own Vehicle Theft Recovery Report. The second annual report is hot off the LoJack presses and the data is ... not surprising, if you own a Honda.

In 2010, the most stolen and recovered vehicles were: (last years rank in parenthesis)

10. Chevrolet Tahoe (7)
9. Nissan Maxima (New)
8. Nissan Altima (8)
7. Dodge Ram (New)
6. Toyota Corolla (6)
5. Cadillac Escalade (5)
4. Acura Integra (4)
3. Toyota Camry (3)
2. Honda Civic (1)
1. Honda Accord (2)

LoJack also breaks down its stolen and recovered information by year, make and model. Honda claims all five top positions for 2010. There's more interesting data in LoJack's 2nd Annual Vehicle Theft Recovery Report. You can read all about it by hot-wiring your mouse and clicking past the jump.


Gallery: Lojack's Top Ten Most Stolen Vehicles of 2010

Honda AccordHonda CivicToyota CamryAcura IntegraCadillac Escalade Platinum

[Source: LoJack]

Continue reading Car thieves still love Honda according to LoJack annual report

Car thieves still love Honda according to LoJack annual report originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Apr 2011 19:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car thefthondahonda accordhonda civiclo-jacklojacklojack vehicle theft recovery reportmost stolen carsrecovered vehiclesstolen carsstolen vehiclesFri, 15 Apr 2011 19:05:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19913796/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/04/15/car-thieves-still-love-honda-according-to-lojack-annual-report/19913796/article-detail.xml 19913796 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/08/01-consumer-reports_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/08/01-consumer-reports.jpg <![CDATA[PSA: Pickup owners prone to pilfered tailgates]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/29/psa-pickup-owners-prone-to-pilfered-tailgates/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/29/psa-pickup-owners-prone-to-pilfered-tailgates/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/29/psa-pickup-owners-prone-to-pilfered-tailgates/#commentsFiled under: , ,

F-150 Tailgate

The Detroit News reports that tailgate thieves are overrunning southeast Michigan, costing truck owners and insurance companies between $1,200 and $3,600 per theft. The problem is so bad in part because stealing a tailgate only takes a few seconds when unlocked, and under a minute when they are locked. Thieves can reportedly remove a tailgate using only their fingers or with the aid of a regular old screwdriver - no specialized tools are needed.

To combat this problem, some auto dealers are displaying their trucks sans gate, or parking those trucks right up against a wall so thieves don't have room to operate. Not even a law making tailgate theft a felony worthy of up to five years in prison appears to be scaring off thieves. St. Clair Shores, MI police detective Dave Centala adds that the speed of the crime makes thieves difficult to catch, adding "they come at night, make no noise and we have never caught one in the act or recovered the part." Centala tells the DetNews that five were stolen in one night in St. Clair Shores, and in other cities the tailgates are being stolen in chunks.

Tailgate thefts are nothing new, and The Detroit News is only reporting on thefts in Michigan, but given the ease with which tailgates are being swiped, we're inclined to believe this continues to be a problem on the national level. Owners looking to protect their trucks can purchase an aftermarket lock, or they can park their vehicle in a garage or in a spot that gives thieves little room to remove the tailgate. Hopefully automakers will tune into this situation and make stealing tailgates far more difficult in the future.

[Source: The Detroit News]

PSA: Pickup owners prone to pilfered tailgates originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car theftst. clair shoresstealing tailgatestailgatetailgate thefttailgate theftsTue, 29 Mar 2011 13:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19894680/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/03/29/psa-pickup-owners-prone-to-pilfered-tailgates/19894680/article-detail.xml 19894680 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/f-150-tailgate_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/f-150-tailgate.jpg <![CDATA[Guy Fieri's Lamborghini stolen from dealer by rappelling thief?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/09/rapelling-thief-reportedly-boosts-celebrity-chefs-lamborghini/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/09/rapelling-thief-reportedly-boosts-celebrity-chefs-lamborghini/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/09/rapelling-thief-reportedly-boosts-celebrity-chefs-lamborghini/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Guy Fieri

What seems more plausible: that a thief dropped down from a dealership's roof, Mission Impossible-style, to boost a Lamborghini? Or that the car in question belonged to a chef? In an alternate reality where the world actually makes sense, the answer would ostensibly be "neither," but we're talking about California here.

The yellow 2008 Lamborghini Gallardo in question didn't belong to any random short-order cook, but to celebrity chef Guy Fieri (above), host of such TV shows as Minute to Win It and the long-running Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Fieri's car was back at the exotic car dealership on San Francisco's Van Ness Avenue overnight when a thief climbed onto the roof of the building, rigged up his gear, rappelled down into the showroom, busted the lock on the garage door and made off (presumably at a rather rapid pace) in Fieri's Gallardo.

Local police figure it wouldn't be easy for the thief to offload the exotic supercar, but from our read of the story, we'd bet that such a prepared thief already had a buyer lined up. And while it may be difficult to sell a stolen rare car locally, if he or she could get it to the docks, it could already be in another country by now. Top tip, Tony!

[Source: San Francisco Chronicle | Image: Jay West/Getty]

Guy Fieri's Lamborghini stolen from dealer by rappelling thief? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car theftcelebritycelebrity chefgrand theft autoguy fierilamborghinistolen lamborghinitheftWed, 09 Mar 2011 09:55:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19873454/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/03/09/rapelling-thief-reportedly-boosts-celebrity-chefs-lamborghini/19873454/article-detail.xml 19873454 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/gyi0063318433_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/gyi0063318433.jpg <![CDATA[Teaching kids how to steal cars is a good idea]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/25/teaching-kids-how-to-steal-cars-is-a-good-idea/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/25/teaching-kids-how-to-steal-cars-is-a-good-idea/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/25/teaching-kids-how-to-steal-cars-is-a-good-idea/#commentsFiled under:

Child in truck

A recent workshop in Los Angeles offers something special for interested children: a class on the mechanics of car theft. Created by the non-profit organization Machine Project, the workshop is entitled "The Good Kids' Guide to Being a Bit Bad: Cars edition." It covers the topics of hot wiring, opening a locked door and getting out of a locked trunk... and we fully support the class.

Getting kids fascinated about "how things work" is a wonderful project, and when it involves cars, well that's just a bonus. In this modern world, it's so easy to overlook how things work on the inside, which makes it extra important for kids to develop a basic understanding of nuts and bolts while they're young.

The instructors for the class also didn't simply just talk about how a car door works, they showed the children and then let them try to open a locked door themselves. The same happened when showing the kids how to escape a locked trunk. The only lesson that wasn't hands on was the hot-wiring of a car because of the risk of being shocked, which the instructor also demonstrated by shocking himself a few times.

The kids learned about some basic mechanical functions, got a dose of humor and hopefully the class created a desire in them to learn more about how the things around them function.

[Source: BoingBoing | Image: Cookie Flores/Flickr]

Teaching kids how to steal cars is a good idea originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car thefteducationengineeringkidsteachingTue, 25 Jan 2011 16:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19812467/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/01/25/teaching-kids-how-to-steal-cars-is-a-good-idea/19812467/article-detail.xml 19812467 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/kid-in-truck_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/kid-in-truck.jpg <![CDATA[Report: Thieves swipe $140K BMW 7 Series in Detroit during auto show <i>*UPDATE</i>]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/13/report-thieves-swipe-140k-bmw-7-series-in-detroit-during-auto/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/13/report-thieves-swipe-140k-bmw-7-series-in-detroit-during-auto/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/13/report-thieves-swipe-140k-bmw-7-series-in-detroit-during-auto/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2010 BMW 760Li
2010 BMW 760Li - Click above for high-res image gallery

The 2011 Detroit Auto Show is proving to be more eventful for BMW than the automaker had originally intended. As workers were preparing to load a BMW 7 Series onto a transport truck near Detroit's Westin Book Cadillac hotel, a pair of thieves jumped in and drove off with the German luxury sedan. The car is said to be worth $140,000, and as of this writing, local police have had no luck tracking down the stolen vehicle. Thankfully, this 7 Series is equipped with BMW Assist, which locates a vehicle if it's stolen, so it's only a matter of time before cops close in on the BMW bandits.

If some brand-new 7 Series parts wind up on Craigslist's Detroit-area 'for sale' section, we're willing to bet the sale price is too-good-to-be-true for a reason.


Gallery: 2010 BMW 760Li: Quick Spin

2010 BMW 760Li2010 BMW 760Li2010 BMW 760Li2010 BMW 760Li2010 BMW 760Li

Photos copyright (C)2011 Steven J. Ewing / AOL

*UPDATE: According to a new report in the Detroit Free Press, the missing BMW 750i xDrive, now understood to be worth $94,000, has been recovered at a gated apartment complex on Detroit's west side. It is not immediately clear if the car's onboard tracking device led to its recovery by police, or what the condition of the vehicle is.


[Source: Detroit Free Press]

Report: Thieves swipe $140K BMW 7 Series in Detroit during auto show *UPDATE originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 detroit auto show750i750i xDrivebmwbmw 7-seriesbmw 7-series stolenbmw assistcar theftcar thievesdetroitstolenThu, 13 Jan 2011 13:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19800095/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/01/13/report-thieves-swipe-140k-bmw-7-series-in-detroit-during-auto/19800095/article-detail.xml 19800095 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/lead1-2010-bmw-760li-qs_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/lead1-2010-bmw-760li-qs.jpg <![CDATA[PSA: New Year's Day still worst for car thefts]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/28/psa-new-years-day-still-worst-for-car-thefts/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/28/psa-new-years-day-still-worst-for-car-thefts/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/28/psa-new-years-day-still-worst-for-car-thefts/#commentsFiled under: ,

car thiefChristmas day is not just for giving, it's also for not stealing. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, December 25th is the day many thieves take a break from stealing cars. Very kind of them, no? But here's the bad news: those thieves are just postponing their nefarious ways for a week. That's right, New Year's Day is the worst holiday for car thefts.

Here's some raw data: 2,760 vehicles were reported stolen in the United States on January 1st, 2009, and 2,189 were stolen on New Year's Eve. Naturally, this year is expected to pretty much follow suit, though the actual number of stolen vehicles is expected to fall for the seventh straight year.

What can you do to combat the problem? Mostly just exercise some common sense. The NCIB recommends the following: parking in well-lit areas, keeping packages in the trunk or out of sight, and making sure your vehicle is locked while it's parked. Or you could just drive an unstealable car... Check out the complete press release after the break.

[Source: National Insurance Crime Bureau | Image: Peter Dazeley/Getty]

Continue reading PSA: New Year's Day still worst for car thefts

PSA: New Year's Day still worst for car thefts originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Dec 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car theftnew yearsnew years daystolenstolen carstolen carsstolen vehiclesTue, 28 Dec 2010 15:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19779256/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/12/28/psa-new-years-day-still-worst-for-car-thefts/19779256/article-detail.xml 19779256 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/200335931-001-250op_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/200335931-001-250op.jpg <![CDATA[TN Court: Person who left keys in car responsible when it gets stolen]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/14/tn-court-person-who-left-keys-in-car-responsible-when-it-gets-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/14/tn-court-person-who-left-keys-in-car-responsible-when-it-gets-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/14/tn-court-person-who-left-keys-in-car-responsible-when-it-gets-s/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Police at the scene of a car accident

Do you occasionally leave your keys in the car? We all have at one point, be it just running in to the ATM or stopping by a friend's house to drop off a borrowed tool. In that short time you are out of the vehicle, it's quite possible that someone could be watching and take off with your wheels. Since the new "owner" probably doesn't care too much about your vehicle and may be trying to escape from the authorities, it isn't too hard to see how the stolen vehicle could end up in a collision or as the focal point of a tragic accident. If all of the above happens and you live in Tennessee, then prepare to have your cash reserves depleted.

A suit was brought against a man who left his keys in his car, which was promptly stolen and then collided with another vehicle causing injuries to three passengers. Initially, the lawsuit was filed against the city of Murfreesboro and its police department- however, that suit was dismissed by the Tennessee Court of Appeals. But the court is allowing the suit against the owners of the vehicle to continue.

"Negligence" is the Word of the Day for Rubye Jarrell, the registered owner of the car and grandmother to Joseph D. Ash Jr., who apparently left the keys inside. According to the appeals court, it does not matter if the keys were in the ignition or somewhere in plain sight, Jarrell is still liable.

What do you think - should Jarrell be deemed negligent and face legal consequences? Have your say in Comments.

[Source: The Associated Press via Tennessean | Image: fourbyfourblazer | CC 2.0]

TN Court: Person who left keys in car responsible when it gets stolen originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car theftMurfreesboronegligenceRubye Jarrellstolen carTennessee Court of AppealsTue, 14 Dec 2010 19:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19758265/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/12/14/tn-court-person-who-left-keys-in-car-responsible-when-it-gets-s/19758265/article-detail.xml 19758265 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/car-accident-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/car-accident-opt.jpg <![CDATA[FBI reports car thefts at all-time low, but so are recoveries]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/16/fbi-reports-car-thefts-at-all-time-low-but-so-are-recoveries/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/16/fbi-reports-car-thefts-at-all-time-low-but-so-are-recoveries/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/16/fbi-reports-car-thefts-at-all-time-low-but-so-are-recoveries/#commentsFiled under: ,

The Federal Bureau of Investigation reports that car thefts in 2009 were at their lowest level in 20 years. Last year, a total of 794,616 vehicles were stolen from their owners - a 17 percent drop compared to 2008. Without a doubt, those numbers are good news for car owners across the country, but the FBI report isn't all roses and sunshine. The government agency also says that while theft numbers are down, so is the number of vehicles recovered after they're stolen.

Last year, authorities were able to return just 42 percent of all stolen vehicles. That number marks a 25 percent decline compared to 2008. The reason? Law enforcement says that thieves are getting smarter all the time, and that most acts of vehicle theft are perpetrated by professionals who are skilled at their trade. Experts recommend following the usual tricks to make sure you're not a victim, including locking your vehicle, keeping valuables out of sight and parking it well-lit areas to make sure your vehicle doesn't wind up on the short list of those stolen in 2010.

[Source: Consumer Reports | Image: Peter Dazeley/Getty]

FBI reports car thefts at all-time low, but so are recoveries originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Car TheftCarTheftConsumer ReportsConsumerReportsFBIFedera Bureau of InvestigationFederaBureauOfInvestigationGrand Theft AutoGrandTheftAutoGTAStolenStolen CarsStolenCarsThu, 16 Sep 2010 18:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19636817/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/09/16/fbi-reports-car-thefts-at-all-time-low-but-so-are-recoveries/19636817/article-detail.xml 19636817 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/200335931-001-250op_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/200335931-001-250op.jpg -1 2