NCJ Number
67238
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 47 Issue: 5 Dated: (MAY 1980) Pages: 45-51
Date Published
1980
Length
4 pages
Annotation
SUCCESSFUL AUTO THEFT CONTROL REQUIRES CAREFUL INCIDENT REPORTING, ACCURATE DEFINITIONS OF PROBLEM AREAS FOR EACH INCIDENT, PREVENTATIVE EFFORTS, ADMINISTRATIVE CONSIDERATIONS, AND LONG-RANGE COOPERATIVE PROGRAMS.
Abstract
MANY REPORTS SUBMITTED TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT INVOLVE MATTERS REGARDING AUTO THEFT THAT ARE NOT OF A CRIMINAL NATURE: VEHICLES TAKEN BY DISOBEDIENT CHILDREN OR ESTRANGED SPOUSES, RENTAL UNITS NOT RETURNED ON TIME, AND REPOSSESSED VEHICLES, ALSO MANY REPORTS LACK INFORMATION THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN OBTAINED IMMEDIATELY OR THROUGH FOLLOWUP CONTACTS. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO AUTO THEFTS SHOULD BE IDENTIFIED, SUCH AS KEYS BEING LEFT IN STOLEN CARS OR THE THEFT BEING COMMITTED WITH THE AID OF A WRECKER OR SUCK-UP TRUCK. THESE LATTER CARS INVARIABLY FIND THEIR WAY TO SALVAGE YARD CRUSHERS. DEPARTMENTS SHOULD DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THOSE CARS STOLEN FOR JOY RIDES, OR FOR PROFIT, OR FOR USE IN RELATION TO OTHER CRIMES. THIS TYPE OF INFORMATION IS HELPFUL IN DETERMINING THE LIKELY DATE OF THE VEHICLE, WHETHER ABANDONED OR INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGITIMATE MARKET WITH ALTERED VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS (VIN'S). AFTER SUCH PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION, METHODS CAN BE FORMULATED TO BE USED AGAINST THE TYPE OF THEFT THAT HAS OCCURRED. EQUALLY IMPORTANT ARE CAMPAIGNS TO INFORM CITIZENS OF WAYS TO PREVENT AUTO THEFT, SUCH AS ALWAYS REMOVING KEYS FROM A CAR. ADMINISTRATION MUST EXAMINE THE AUTO THEFT SECTION, AND DECIDE ON THE MOST PRODUCTIVE AREAS OF ENFORCEMENT, SUCH AS ENSURING THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WHO INSPECT REBUILT AUTOS ARE TRAINED TO READILY IDENTIFY AN ALTERED VIN OR AN AUTO THAT IS BEING FRAUDULENTLY SUBMITTED FOR A TITLE. AN AUTO THEFT TASK FORCE SHOULD BE FORMED TO AID AUTO THEFT INVESTIGATION ANYWHERE IN THE STATE. LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS SHOULD BE DIRECTED AT A MORE STRINGENT SEIZURE PROCEDURE. EACH JURISDICTION SHOULD HAVE SPECIFIC PROSECUTORS WHO ARE CONCERNED ONLY WITH AUTO THEFT OFFENSES. EXTENDED SURVEILLANCE SHOULD BE REQUIRED IN INVESTIGATIONS INVOLVING ORGANIZED AUTO THEFT OPERATIONS. THE AMOUNT OF PROBABILITY CAUSE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A SEARCH WARRANT SHOULD BE DECREASED SO THAT NO SPECIFIC PIECE OF PROPERTY MUST BE IDENTIFIED FOR PROBABLE CAUSE. PUNISHMENT FOR THE OFFENDER SHOULD BE INCREASED AS A DETERRENT. FINALLY, CITIZENS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS MUST COOPERATE TO HANDLE THIS INCREASINGLY PREVALENT OFFENSE. (MHP)