Vehicle Theft
Hot Spots 2008
Previous-
AP/AOL
Top 20 Car Theft Cities
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), preliminary crime data released by the FBI contains some positive news on the vehicle theft front. Not only is 2007 on track to be the fourth consecutive year of declining vehicle thefts, but if the preliminary figure of -7.4% holds, it will be the largest single year percent drop in thefts since 1999.
But that may be small comfort to the cities on this list. Click through our gallery as we count down the top 20 areas for vehicle theft in America.
First Slide: Hot Spot No. 20 -
AP/AOL
Riverside-San Bernardino-
Ontario, Calif.2007 Rank: 20
2006 Rank: 15
# Thefts in 2007: 27,188
Rate of Thefts: 666.15
Notes: A vehicle theft rank of 1 is the worst. The rate of thefts is determined by the number of vehicle theft offenses per 100,000 inhabitants using the most current U.S. Census Population Estimates available. A higher rate means more thefts per capita.
Next: Hot Spot No. 19 -
Vallejo-Fairfield, Calif.
2007 Rank: 19
2006 Rank: 21
# Thefts in 2007: 2,738
Rate of Thefts: 670.09
Notes: A vehicle theft rank of 1 is the worst. The rate of thefts is determined by the number of vehicle theft offenses per 100,000 inhabitants using the most current U.S. Census Population Estimates available. A higher rate means more thefts per capita.
Next: Hot Spot No. 18 -
AP/AOL
Detroit-Warren-Livonia, Mich.
2007 Rank: 18
2006 Rank: 16
# Thefts in 2007: 31,163
Rate of Thefts: 697.53
Notes: A vehicle theft rank of 1 is the worst. The rate of thefts is determined by the number of vehicle theft offenses per 100,000 inhabitants using the most current U.S. Census Population Estimates available. A higher rate means more thefts per capita.
Next: Hot Spot No. 17 -
El Centro, Calif.
2007 Rank: 17
2006 Rank: 18
# Thefts in 2007: 1,166
Rate of Thefts: 720.34
Notes: A vehicle theft rank of 1 is the worst. The rate of thefts is determined by the number of vehicle theft offenses per 100,000 inhabitants using the most current U.S. Census Population Estimates available. A higher rate means more thefts per capita.
Next: Hot Spot No. 16 -
AP/AOL
Seattle-Tacoma-
Bellevue, Wash.2007 Rank: 16
2006 Rank: 6
# Thefts in 2007: 24,516
Rate of Thefts: 740.81
Notes: A vehicle theft rank of 1 is the worst. The rate of thefts is determined by the number of vehicle theft offenses per 100,000 inhabitants using the most current U.S. Census Population Estimates available. A higher rate means more thefts per capita.
Next: Hot Spot No. 15 -
AP/AOL
Bakersfield, Calif.
2007 Rank: 15
2006 Rank: 14
# Thefts in 2007: 6,013
Rate of Thefts: 760.46
Notes: A vehicle theft rank of 1 is the worst. The rate of thefts is determined by the number of vehicle theft offenses per 100,000 inhabitants using the most current U.S. Census Population Estimates available. A higher rate means more thefts per capita.
Next: Hot Spot No. 14 -
AP/AOL
Salinas, Calif.
2007 Rank: 14
2006 Rank: 49
# Thefts in 2007: 3,115
Rate of Thefts: 764.16
Notes: A vehicle theft rank of 1 is the worst. The rate of thefts is determined by the number of vehicle theft offenses per 100,000 inhabitants using the most current U.S. Census Population Estimates available. A higher rate means more thefts per capita.
Next: Hot Spot No. 13 -
AP/AOL
Sacramento-Arden-Arcade-
Roseville, Calif.2007 Rank: 13
2006 Rank: 7
# Thefts in 2007: 16,413
Rate of Thefts: 784.89
Notes: A vehicle theft rank of 1 is the worst. The rate of thefts is determined by the number of vehicle theft offenses per 100,000 inhabitants using the most current U.S. Census Population Estimates available. A higher rate means more thefts per capita.
Next: Hot Spot No. 12 -
AP/AOL
Visalia-Porterville, Calif.
2007 Rank: 12
2006 Rank: 3
# Thefts in 2007: 3,312
Rate of Thefts: 785.67
Notes: A vehicle theft rank of 1 is the worst. The rate of thefts is determined by the number of vehicle theft offenses per 100,000 inhabitants using the most current U.S. Census Population Estimates available. A higher rate means more thefts per capita.
Next: Hot Spot No. 11 -
AP/AOL
Fresno, Calif.
2007 Rank: 11
2006 Rank: 8
# Thefts in 2007: 7,207
Rate of Thefts: 801.36
Notes: A vehicle theft rank of 1 is the worst. The rate of thefts is determined by the number of vehicle theft offenses per 100,000 inhabitants using the most current U.S. Census Population Estimates available. A higher rate means more thefts per capita.
Next: Hot Spot No. 10 -
AP/AOL
Tucson, Ariz.
2007 Rank: 10
2006 Rank: 10
# Thefts in 2007: 7,781
Rate of Thefts: 804.58
Notes: A vehicle theft rank of 1 is the worst. The rate of thefts is determined by the number of vehicle theft offenses per 100,000 inhabitants using the most current U.S. Census Population Estimates available. A higher rate means more thefts per capita.
Next: Hot Spot No. 9 -
AP/AOL
Yakima, Wash.
2007 Rank: 9
2006 Rank: 9
# Thefts in 2007: 1,898
Rate of Thefts: 814.38
Notes: A vehicle theft rank of 1 is the worst. The rate of thefts is determined by the number of vehicle theft offenses per 100,000 inhabitants using the most current U.S. Census Population Estimates available. A higher rate means more thefts per capita.
Next: Hot Spot No. 8 -
AP/AOL
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, Ariz.
2007 Rank: 8
2006 Rank: 4
# Thefts in 2007: 34,182
Rate of Thefts: 817.86
Notes: A vehicle theft rank of 1 is the worst. The rate of thefts is determined by the number of vehicle theft offenses per 100,000 inhabitants using the most current U.S. Census Population Estimates available. A higher rate means more thefts per capita.
Next: Hot Spot No. 7 -
AP/AOL
Albuquerque, N.M.
2007 Rank: 7
2006 Rank: 13
# Thefts in 2007: 6,845
Rate of Thefts: 819.64
Notes: A vehicle theft rank of 1 is the worst. The rate of thefts is determined by the number of vehicle theft offenses per 100,000 inhabitants using the most current U.S. Census Population Estimates available. A higher rate means more thefts per capita.
Next: Hot Spot No. 6 -
AP/AOL
Laredo, Texas
2007 Rank: 6
2006 Rank: 22
# Thefts in 2007: 1,914
Rate of Thefts: 820.92
Notes: A vehicle theft rank of 1 is the worst. The rate of thefts is determined by the number of vehicle theft offenses per 100,000 inhabitants using the most current U.S. Census Population Estimates available. A higher rate means more thefts per capita.
Next: Hot Spot No. 5 -
AP/AOL
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, Calif.
2007 Rank: 5
2006 Rank: 12
# Thefts in 2007: 34,996
Rate of Thefts: 832.47
Notes: A vehicle theft rank of 1 is the worst. The rate of thefts is determined by the number of vehicle theft offenses per 100,000 inhabitants using the most current U.S. Census Population Estimates available. A higher rate means more thefts per capita.
Next: Hot Spot No. 4 -
Stockton, Calif.
2007 Rank: 4
2006 Rank: 2
# Thefts in 2007: 5,649
Rate of Thefts: 841.89
Notes: A vehicle theft rank of 1 is the worst. The rate of thefts is determined by the number of vehicle theft offenses per 100,000 inhabitants using the most current U.S. Census Population Estimates available. A higher rate means more thefts per capita.
Next: Hot Spot No. 3 -
AP/AOL
San Diego-Carlsbad-
San Marcos, Calif.2007 Rank: 3
2006 Rank: 11
# Thefts in 2007: 28,074
Rate of Thefts: 943.71
Notes: A vehicle theft rank of 1 is the worst. The rate of thefts is determined by the number of vehicle theft offenses per 100,000 inhabitants using the most current U.S. Census Population Estimates available. A higher rate means more thefts per capita.
Next: Hot Spot No. 2 -
AP/AOL
Las Vegas-Paradise, Nev.
2007 Rank: 2
2006 Rank: 1
# Thefts in 2007: 19,031
Rate of Thefts: 1,036.36
Notes: A vehicle theft rank of 1 is the worst. The rate of thefts is determined by the number of vehicle theft offenses per 100,000 inhabitants using the most current U.S. Census Population Estimates available. A higher rate means more thefts per capita.
Next: Hot Spot No. 1 -
AP/AOL
Modesto, Calif.
2007 Rank: 1
2006 Rank: 5
# Thefts in 2007: 5,358
Rate of Thefts: 1,047.99
Notes: A vehicle theft rank of 1 is the worst. The rate of thefts is determined by the number of vehicle theft offenses per 100,000 inhabitants using the most current U.S. Census Population Estimates available. A higher rate means more thefts per capita.
· See All Hot Spots by State
On AOL: More Danger Zones -
More on AOL:
Most Dangerous States
The results of CQ Press's annual Crime State Rankings are in. Join us as we reveal which 15 states were ranked as the most dangerous for 2008.
States are compared against the national average for six crimes, each carrying equal weight.
Click through our gallery and see if your state made the list.
15 Most Dangerous StatesMore in Money & Finance:
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Recent Comments
Zachsaucedo 01:47:22 PM May 13 2008
that is really sad that this os all being blamed on immigrants, you were all immigrants at one time or another! Most of the immigrants i know are good hardworking people that are here tjust to make their lives a little better. Most of the people stealing cars are losers, usually teenagers, that are looking for a cheap thrill or a quick buck. so lay off the immigrants.
LiLYHavnFun 11:35:19 AM May 13 2008
ha, nice mister. just so you know california is the best state in the entire U.S. everyone else sucks except for washignton and new york
Palmer SP 11:02:43 AM May 13 2008
CA- home of the crazies gets what it deserves. Hey folks, buy some more cars so the "entitlement" crew will have greater freedom of choice in making their selections.
Zasperela 08:59:00 AM May 13 2008
HEY ENTITLEMENT HAPPY LIBERALS. WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE. DUH.
Chrispetinaud 08:55:13 AM May 13 2008
San Bernardino, my home town. Real life GTA San Andreas!
Chronic Lurker 08:45:34 AM May 13 2008
Yes, I too noticed that; all the example pix show CAUCASIANS as the vehicle thieves. In our Oakland/Berkeley community, the overwhelming majority of car thefts are perpetrated by blacks, in my sister's Northern California rural ex-urb, it's Mexicans. Illegals tend to steal license plates as well. Those who park on the streets have to remove the plates before going into their apartments or homes .
I can't quite figure out why it is verboten to accurately portray the demographics of of California crime.
SHAWN1ONEIL 08:31:38 AM May 13 2008
I did not see one black or mexican car theif.They looked like they are from soap casting call.And what happen to Newark NJ I thought it was the car theft capital or mabey car jacking capital lol.
AURUM EMPTIO 08:31:00 AM May 13 2008
Wow...most of the cars are taken in California...thats interesting...sounds like there must be a lot fo good people out there.....LOL......
Sorry Officer, but ...
No one likes to get a traffic ticket. But some of us are a little more adventurous in trying to talk our way out of one. What have you tried?
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