After seeing decades of declining vehicle theft rates, some parts of the Commonwealth are seeing a serious uptick. Criminals are using the threat of violence, as well as more sophisticated technology, to steal cars. Use of social media has brought another new dimension to auto theft, with the glamorization of these crimes in viral, global social posts like the “Kia/Hyundai TikTok Challenge.”

While some vehicles are stolen as a crime of opportunity, many are stolen by complex, professional theft rings whose tactics often involve violence, financial fraud, identity theft, and international trafficking. Whether juvenile joy rides or carjacking, crime sprees sometimes begin with the theft of a vehicle, leading to the dangerous and costly ripple of the subsequent crimes and serious, sometimes deadly threats to drivers.

The down-stream impact of a stolen car is real. Stealing a car is often the first step in a string of crimes. Keep yourself, your family and community safer with a common sense habit: lock your car, take your keys, every time.