U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

Arizona Auto Theft Study 2004

NCJ Number
206475
Date Published
May 2004
Length
119 pages
Annotation
This report presents comprehensive information about motor vehicle theft in Arizona, including risk factors, offender motivation, and economic impact.
Abstract
Arizona experienced the highest motor vehicle theft rate in the United States during 2002. The proximity of Arizona to the United States/Mexico border has contributed to the use of stolen vehicles for the commission of crimes. Information was collected to determine the common modus operandi of motor vehicle theft in Arizona, as well as offender motivations and techniques, effects on victims, and the effectiveness of programs designed to minimize risk of motor vehicle theft. Following the introduction and methodology, the report offers the basic etiology of motor vehicle theft in Arizona, including reasons for motor vehicle theft, how they are stolen, types and number of stolen vehicles, and information of clearance and recovery rates and chop shops. Preliminary data for 2003 indicate that Arizona experienced a 6.9 percent statewide decrease in motor vehicle theft between January and June, compared with this time period in 2002. The following section offers an analysis of the monetary loss due to motor vehicle theft experienced by Arizona victims from 1992 through 2002. The 2002 estimated total economic loss was $377,268,746, which was the result of the thefts of 56,876 motor vehicles with an average value of $6,633. The next section offers information on victim impact, which was gleaned from interviews with eight victims of motor vehicle theft during 2003. Data regarding the offenders of motor vehicle theft in Arizona are offered next, which include demographic information, juvenile motor vehicle theft data, and offender interview data. Two Arizona case studies of motor vehicle theft were conducted in Phoenix and Tucson; data are presented on the geographical distribution of motor vehicle thefts in these two cities and future mapping efforts are reviewed, along with recent State legislation changes pertaining to motor vehicle theft. Prosecution data are reviewed, as well as prevention efforts and law enforcement strategies designed to decrease motor vehicle thefts in the State. Law enforcement survey results are reviewed, as is the large urban area follow-up study. Eighteen recommendations are offered for decreasing motor vehicle theft in Arizona, including increasing penalties for chronic offenders and increasing penalties for fleeing from an officer in a stolen vehicle. Tables, maps, appendix