Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Metro launches effort to target Las Vegas vehicle thefts

Car thefts

Jackie Valley

Repeat auto thieves typically strip an entire vehicle, taking seats, wheels, transmissions and engines, then sell the parts to make a profit greater than the car’s total worth, police say.

Auto theft

KSNV coverage of Metro campaign to reduce auto theft, April 13, 2011.

It’s difficult to label some recovered stolen vehicles as cars because, really, they’re nothing more than metal frames after thieves finish stripping them.

Engines, transmissions, seats, wheels — all gone, sold for a combined amount of money more than the car’s total worth, authorities say.

In response to a slight increase in auto thefts, Metro Police have launched a public awareness campaign called “Drive it. Protect it!” aimed at encouraging car owners to take better precautions.

Car thefts often can be avoided by employing common-sense safety practices, such as locking doors, taking the keys, hiding or removing valuables and turning cars off even during the briefest stops, said Detective Darren Paul of Metro’s VIPER auto theft task force.

“If you keep your cars running, it’s something the bad guys are looking for,” he said.

Las Vegas held the unwanted title several years ago of having the most auto thefts in the nation, peaking at more than 22,000 in 2006, Paul said.

Since then, auto thefts have dropped — down to about 7,000 last year — but police have noticed a small increase in the past month, Paul said.

“It’s enough we’re taking notice,” he said, adding that about 30 to 40 cars have been stolen each month this year.

The bulk of auto thefts are what police describe as “transportation thefts,” meaning people steal cars as a means of getting from one place to another, Paul said. In those instances, police recover 75 to 80 percent of the stolen vehicles, he said.

Click to enlarge photo

Metro Police launched a campaign called "Drive it. Protect it!" encouraging car owners to take more precautions in response to a slight increase in auto thefts recently. Repeat auto thieves will strip cars, like this vehicle at Ewing Brothers Towing Facility, and then sell the parts, police said.

Repeat auto thieves who strip the cars for parts, however, typically go after Honda or Nissan models produced in the 1990s because those vehicles have fewer anti-theft devices, Paul said. Other sought-after cars include newer model General Motors sport utility vehicles, such as Tahoes, Yukons and Escalades.

Authorities said thieves target cars wherever the opportunity presents itself, including driveways, parking lots and locations on the Strip.

Metro Police began a bait car program three years ago to catch thieves while they’re in the process of stealing a vehicle, which has resulted in about 550 arrests, Paul said.

For added protection, police suggest installing global positioning systems such as OnStar or using the alarm systems built in to some cars.

Auto thefts increase during the summer for the simple fact that “when it’s colder, car thieves don’t want to be outside,” Paul said.

Authorities ask anyone who notices increased activity at vacant houses or large numbers of vehicles near a house or garage, which could be indicative of a “chop shop,” to contact Crime Stoppers at (702) 385-5555 or www.crimestoppersofnv.com.

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