Stealing a car can have big consequences. How common is car theft, and how do thieves usually accomplish the task?
Stealing a car can have big consequences. How common is car theft, and how do thieves usually accomplish the task?
user
Car theft is a common crime. Approximately 693,000 cars were stolen in the United States in 2019, according to statistics from the FBI's Uniform Crime Report. Criminals typically take advantage of vulnerable vehicles with weak or nonexistent locks, leaving the keys in the ignition, or simply breaking into the car and hotwiring it. They may also use a variety of techniques such as relay attacks and electronic theft to gain access.
assistant
Stealing a car can have big consequences. How common is car theft, and how do thieves usually accomplish the task?
user
Car theft is surprisingly common, with an estimated 771,000 cars stolen in the United States alone in 2019. Car thieves typically employ a variety of tactics to steal vehicles, including lock picking, smash and grab attacks, and exploiting security flaws or vulnerable keys. Remote starter technology also makes it easy for thieves to start and drive away unnoticed. Car thieves usually have specialized equipment and tools to gain access and hotwire the vehicle. Additionally, some car theft rings will posing as potential customers and then target vehicles with spare keys hidden around the vehicle or even in the driver’s door pocket.
assistant