1. Chapter 15Motor Vehicle TheftHess 15-1

2. Introduction The vehicle, its accessories and the property inside areall targets for thieves Most people use motor vehicles to travel to work andfor pleasure Recreational vehicles are also targets for theft andburglary Aircraft and watercraft thefts add to the problemsfacing police investigators Hess 15-2 3. Motor Vehicle IdentificationVEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER Primary, nonduplicated,serialized number Assigned by manufacturer Critical to investigations Identifies specific vehiclesHess 15-3 4. Classification of Motor Vehicle TheftCATEGORIES Joyriding Transportation Commission of another crime Gang initiation Stripping for parts and accessories Reselling for profitHess 15-4 5. Classification of Motor Vehicle TheftJOYRIDING Generally a younger person For thrills and excitementTRANSPORTATION Travel from one point to another at no cost Kept longer than one stolen for joyridingHess 15-5 6. Classification of Motor Vehicle TheftCOMMISSION OF ANOTHER CRIME Habitual criminals have stolen at least one car in theircriminal careers 150 to 200 times more likely to be in an accidentGANG INITIATION Putting in workHess 15-6 7. Classification of Motor Vehicle TheftSTRIPPING FOR PARTS AND ACCESSORIES Airbag theft Stealing for chop shopsRESELLING VIN is almost alwaysaltered or replaced Exported for resaleHess 15-7 8. Elements of the CrimeUNAUTHORIZED USE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE Intentionally taking or driving a motor vehicleWithout the consent of the owner Or owners authorized agent Check the registration with the state DMVHess 15-8 9. Elements of the CrimeINTERSTATE TRANSPORTATION Dyer Act Interstate transportation is a federal crime Thief may be prosecuted in any state Intent is not required Anti-Car Theft Act of 1992Hess 15-9 10. Motor Vehicle EmbezzlementOVERVIEW Person who took the vehicle initially had consent Exceeded the terms of that consent Does not return it Fraudulent appropriation of property Hess 15-10 11. The Preliminary InvestigationOVERVIEW Time, date and location of the theft Make, model and color of the vehicle State of issue of the license plate; license platenumber Direction of travel; description of any suspect Complainants present location Hess 15-11 12. Insurance FraudVEHICLE CLONING Stolen vehicles assume the identity of legally owned,or nonstolen, vehicles Stickers and titles to appear legitimate Multiple vehicles have same VIN High-end luxury cars are the usual targets of cloningHess 15-12 13. Cooperating Agencies in Motor Vehicle TheftFEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION (FBI) FBIs NCIC contains information on stolen vehicles FBI assists local/state authorities on interstate casesNATIONAL INSURANCE CRIME BUREAU (NICB) Nonprofit organization Supported by insurance companiesHess 15-13 14. Recognizing a Stolen Motor Vehicle or anUnauthorized DriverTECHNIQUES Hot sheet Checking system Learn common characteristics Check suspicious persons and vehicles Learn how to question drivers and occupantsHess 15-14 15. Recovering an Abandoned or StolenMotor VehicleRECOVERY ISSUES Hot sheet Private citizen report Vehicle recovery report Consider the vehicle may have been used in a crimeHess 15-15 16. Combating Motor Vehicle TheftOVERVIEW Sting operations Auto theft training Efforts across jurisdictions Anticar theft campaigns Increased penalties Hess 15-16 17. Combating Motor Vehicle TheftLICENSE PLATES Automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) PlateScanROUTINE ACTIVITIES Bait car Telematic technology Hess 15-17 18. Combating Motor Vehicle TheftBORDER AREA AUTO THEFT Near ports or the Mexican or Canadian borders Policia Internacional Sonora y Arizona (PISA)THEFT OF PATROL CARS Turning the engine off drains the cars battery quickly Technological solutions Hess 15-18 19. Preventing Auto TheftEFFECTIVE MEASURES Educational campaigns Installing antitheft devices Remove keys from the ignition Lock vehicles when parked Immobilizing devicesHess 15-19 20. Thefts of Trucks, Construction Vehicles, Aircraft and Other Motorized VehiclesTRUCKS AND TRAILERS Fingerman SpotterCONSTRUCTION VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT Heavy equipment theft is a growing problem National Equipment Register (NER) Hess 15-20 21. Thefts of Trucks, Construction Vehicles, Aircraft and Other Motorized VehiclesRECREATIONAL VEHICLES 450 makes and models of recreational vehicles (RVs) Many contain CB radios, televisions, and DVDsMOTORIZED BOATS AND JET SKIS Identification number on the boats hull Determine whether the theft claim is legitimate Hess 15-21 22. Thefts of Trucks, Construction Vehicles, Aircraft and Other Motorized VehiclesSNOWMOBILES Easy to steal Can be transported inside vans and trucksMOTORCYCLES, MOTOR SCOOTERS AND MOPEDS Lack security devices Parts are not readily identifiableHess 15-22 23. Thefts of Trucks, Construction Vehicles, Aircraft and Other Motorized VehiclesAIRCRAFT Relatively rare High-value theft Used in narcotics smuggling Highly visible N identification number on fuselageHess 15-23 24. Summary Motor vehicle thefts take much investigative time Can provide important information on other crimesunder investigation The VIN, critical in motor vehicle theft investigations,identifies the specific vehicle in question Dyer Act made interstate transportation of a stolenmotor vehicle a federal crimeHess 15-24