Following an eight-year downturn, U.S. auto theft is on the rise. According to the latest Hot Spots report, the National Insurance Crime Bureau's (NICB) annual per-capita review of the nation's metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs), vehicle theft swelled 1.3 percent in 2012, when compared to 715,373 incidents in 2011.

Based on preliminary 2012 data supplied by the FBI, the NICB found the most dramatic uptick to be concentrated in the U.S. west (defined by the FBI as Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming). Further solidifying its reputation as a hotbed for auto theft, the west saw a 10.6-percent increase in 13 states last year.

Somewhat incredibly, one state claimed eight of ten spots on the NICB's list of MSAs with the most stolen rides in 2012. Click on the “Next” button at the bottom right to find out which state carries this unfortunate distinction, as well as how the rest of the U.S. stacks up.

10. Redding, CA

Helping California retain its dominance in auto theft activity, the city of Redding, Calif. lept from #66 in the 2010 ratings to #10 in 2012. The fourth largest city in the Sacramento Valley logged 938 thefts last year. When asked to explain why the most populous state is chronically plagued by the crime, state authorities cited inadequate funding of law enforcement resources due to budget crunches.

Criminals tend to migrate where they will presumably encounter the least resistance. Theft may be perceived as a less risky alternative to violent crime, for which the penalties are steep and more rigidly enforced.

An added vulnerability for California is its drug-related property crimes, as methamphetamine use continues to soar.

9. Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA

Thieves continue to venture a little farther west, to Spokane, Washington apparently. Though at a slower pace than perhaps officials and insurers would prefer, the area is making progress, as evident by registering #9 (with 3,025 thefts) in the most recent NICB roundup. The MSA formerly claimed the #4 spot in both 2011 and 2010.

8. Vallejo-Fairfield, CA

Ranking fifth in 2010 and ninth the subsequent year, Vallejo, Calif. settled on the #8 spot in 2012, having reported 2,615 thefts.

7. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Some of the most alarming findings originated farther south in the state, in the MSA of San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, Calif. After reporting 8,095 thefts in 2010 (ranked #18), the area slid to the #20 spot in 2011 with 7,460 vehicle thefts. Last year, it logged a whopping 11,810 thefts to finish seventh.

6. San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA

Securing the #6 spot yet again, the San Francisco area observed a slightly higher incidence of auto theft—28,220 in 2012 compared to 23,223 the year prior. In 2010, the MSA reported 22,617 thefts, registering ninth on the list of hotbeds.

5. Yakima, WA

Attracted to more than the Yakima area's apples, wine, hops and relatively close proximity to Mount Rainier (about 60 miles), criminals lifted about 1,665 vehicles in 2012. The MSA also registed fifth in 2011 with 1,308 thefts, up from the #10 spot in 2010.

4. Stockton-Lodi, CA

After ranking #7 on the 2011 and 2010 iterations with 3,532 and 3,779 respectively, Stockton-Lodi, California climbed to fourth place, after reporting 4,940 auto thefts in 2012.

3. Bakersfield, CA

The ninth largest city in California enjoys a diverse economy, with abundant natural gas and other resources extracted year after year. Unfortunately, the industrial city is consistently targeted by auto thieves. For three years running, it has registered third on NICB's list of hotbeds. In 2012, it reported 6,797 stolen vehicles, an increase from 5,240 in 2011.

2. Fresno, CA

Last year, Fresno, Calif. slipped one spot to #2 on the list. The MSA, which formerly reported the most auto theft activity in 2011 and 2010 (with 7,261 and 7,559 incidents, respectively), logged 7,563 stolen rides in 2012.

Another western city that has long battled auto theft is Albuquerque, New Mexico. After ranking high on the NICB's 2011 list, the city took decisive action, introducing “bait cars.” These cars, provided by NICB partner insurers, are equipped with surveillance and then placed conspicuously to entice would-be crooks. Last year alone, the Albuquerque police department made 132 arrests as a result of the initiative and managed to escape the 2012 notorious “top 10″ as a result.

1. Modesto, CA

After reporting the second-highest number of auto thefts in 2011 and 2010, Modesto, Calif. steered its way to the top in 2012 list with 4,260 reported thefts.

It is important to keep in mind that regions outside of the west are also facing rising auto theft. While pockets of success have been documented, there is still much left to be done. The midwest, northeast and south reported theft reductions of 3.1, 7.9 and 2.9 percent, respectively, in 2012.

One crucial tool in deterring crime in those regions has been social media, with members of the community submitting anonymous tips via Facebook and Twitter.

Special Reports /

NICB Ranks Top 10 Cities for Auto Theft

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