U.S. Auto Theft Simmers, But Cali Hotbeds Remain

For the fifth consecutive year, data collected by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) points to a steady decline in U.S. auto theft. NICB's latest "Hot Spots" report examines vehicle theft information obtained from the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) for each of the nation's metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) in 2008.

Although most areas experienced a reduction, auto theft continues to plague the western part of the United States. The states bordering Mexico show mixed results, with California still leading the pack in terms of total number of thefts. In fact, NICB ranked Modesto, Cali. as the MSA with the highest theft rate in 2008, and five other MSAs in the Golden State made the same infamous "top ten" list. Bakersfield, Cali., formerly rated 15th in 2007, jumped to the fifth slot.

Preliminary 2008 crime data released by the FBI in January indicates that 2008 will post a double-digit decline in vehicle theft when final numbers are released in the fall. If the preliminary figure of -12.6 percent stands, then it will represent the largest single year percent drop in thefts since 1999.

"This is a mixed bag of good news and bad news on the vehicle theft front," said Joe Wehrle, NICB president and chief executive officer. "The good news is, we're seeing steady progress in reducing the overall theft rate and that means Americans aren't shelling out as much to cover the cost of stolen vehicles in their insurance premiums. We've also seen significant decreases in key areas along the border such as San Diego, where thefts dropped nearly 20 percent."

Conversely, NICB observed a marked uptick in 2008 in the number of thefts in the Texas MSAs of El Paso, Laredo, and San Antonio, along with Las Cruces, NM.

"The bad news is that the theft rate continues to increase in areas like El Paso and Laredo where many of the cars, trucks and SUVs being stolen are being used to carry drugs, money and weapons into and out of Mexico," Wehrle said. "These vehicle thefts are helping finance the drug cartels that are waging war on the Mexican government."

For years, NICB has collaborated with U.S. and Mexican authorities to recover and return stolen vehicles -- more than 4,000 were retrieved last year alone. The organization continues to strongly support efforts at the federal and state levels to reduce the flow of stolen vehicles across the border.

The auto theft rates are determined by the number of vehicle theft offenses per 100,000 inhabitants using the 2008 U.S. Census Population Estimates, the most current figures available. The ten MSAs with the highest vehicle theft rates for 2008 are:

1. Modesto, CA

2. Laredo, TX

3. Yakima, WA

4. San Diego/Carlsbad/San Marcos, CA

5. Bakersfield, CA

6. Stockton, CA

7. Las Vegas/Paradise, NV

8. Albuquerque, NM

9. San Francisco/Oakland/Fremont, CA

10. Fresno, CA

For the complete information on "Hot Spots 2008," visit www.nicb.org.