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 Every 26.4 seconds a vehicle is stolen in America. Arizona ranks 4th in the nation in vehicle thefts, following only California, Texas and Florida. In Yavapai County there is an average of 21 vehicle thefts every month reported to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office alone.
The Yavapai County Sheriffs Office has one position that is filled by a detective, Deputy Dave Zavos, who works exclusively with the Arizona Automobile Theft Authority task force. YCSO has been continually involved in investigating and dealing with this serious and costly crime, but only a small percentage of stolen vehicles are recovered, an average of nine (9) per month. The majority of stolen vehicles, especially along the southern AZ borders, are used for transporting illegal drugs and human cargo, while other stolen vehicles are parted out for electronics, engines and other components.
The ten most commonly stolen vehicles in Arizona are:
- Honda Accord
- Honda Civic
- Dodge Ram Pickup
- Chevrolet full-sized C/K 1500 Pickup
- Nissan Sentra
- Ford F150 Series
- Nissan Altima
- Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee
- Dodge neon
- Saturn SL
Use Anti-Theft Methods
The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office urges citizens to incorporate any and all available anti-theft methods to help protect them selves from the crime of vehicle theft. Common sense is the first step in this protection.
- Take care to lock your car – half of all vehicles stolen are left unlocked.
- Take your keys – nearly 20% of all vehicles stolen have the keys in them
- Park in well-lit areas – car thefts occur at night over half the time
- Park in attended lots – car thieves do not like witnesses
- Never leave your vehicle running when unattended.
- Completely close car windows
- Do not leave valuables in plain view
- Do not hide spare car keys in or on your car – thieves know where to look
- Always set your emergency brake when parking
- If you have a garage, use it – when you do, lock the vehicle and the garage door.
Warning and/or Anti-Theft devices that alert thieves to your vehicle protection are a popular pro-active means of avoiding vehicle theft.
- Audible alarms
- Steering wheel and steering column locks
- Brake and tire locks
- “Watch Your Car” decals
- Identification markers in or on vehicle
- Protective window laminate
- Microdots applied to various surfaces on your vehicle, which are imprinted with ID information
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) etching on vehicle windows
Finally, using immobilizing devices can prevent thieves from bypassing your ignition and hot-wiring your vehicle. Some electronic devices have computer chips in ignition keys. Other devices inhibit the flow of electricity or fuel to the engine until a hidden switch of button is activated:
- Smart keys
- High security locks
- Fuse cut-offs
- Kill switches
- Starter, ignition and fuel disablers
Keep A Record
Be sure to keep information as to your vehicle’s make, model, color, license plate number and VIN and always keep a photocopy of your vehicle’s registration and insurance card in your wallet or at home. If your vehicle is stolen, you will be able to help law enforcement to assist you by having this information readily available.
If you are purchasing a used vehicle, YCSO urges you to use common sense and extra care in your dealings. Don’t purchase a stolen car! If the deal looks too good to be true, it probably is!
- Never meet the seller in an unsafe location and let the seller know you will not be bringing cash, but will pay by personal or cashier’s check if you decide to purchase.
- Ask the seller for a valid photo ID and compare that information to the vehicle registration and title
- Be leery of pre-signed ownership documents and if the documents are recently issued or duplicates, the vehicle may have recently changed hands or the title lost. Ask why.
- Check ownership documents for indication that it is a salvage and be very cautious if it is.
- Be sure all numbers ID, VIN and registration numbers match
- Be sure documentation is adequate to obtain registration and legal title. Check with the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) before you pay if there is any doubt.
As for Motorcycles...
This same information also applies to motorcycle theft and prevention. Keep your bike out of sight, never leave keys in the ignition and be wise when parking your bike. Choose a well lit area, preferably in view of a security camera.
Bike locks and alarms are effective, especially when used in combination, and a hidden kill switch will prevent a thief from starting the bike and riding off on it. The installation of a tracking and recovery system is also very effective in helping authorities recover stolen bikes.
The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office urges all citizens to use care in securing and protecting their vehicles against theft and to become involved in automobile theft safety. Stay alert to suspicious activity in your neighborhood, report thefts in progress if you see one, and always cooperate with law enforcement officials in prime prevention or investigation.
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chamika
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