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AUTO THEFT

NCJ Number
46831
Date Published
1975
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THIS FILM IS INTENDED AS A TRAINING AID FOR POLICE OFFICERS IN DETECTING AND INVESTIGATING STOLEN AUTOMOBILES.
Abstract
ALTHOUGH THE PROBLEM OF AUTO THEFT IS AN EXTENSIVE ONE IN THIS COUNTRY, IT IS SOLVED LESS OFTEN THAN ANY OTHER CRIME. THE FILM EDUCATES POLICE OFFICERS ABOUT THE VARIOUS METHODS USED BY THIEVES TO CONCEAL THE FACT THAT AN AUTOMOBILE IS STOLEN, IN ORDER TO HELP THEM DETECT SUCH EFFORTS. COMMON TOOLS USED IN THEFT ARE SHOWN, AND WAYS IN WHICH OFFICERS CAN RECOGNIZE THE MARKS THAT THEY MAKE ARE ILLUSTRATED. VARIOUS TIP-OFFS TO STOLEN AND ALTERED VEHICLES ARE SHOWN, AND WAYS TO INVESTIGATE ABANDONED AUTOS ARE TAUGHT, PARTICULARLY IDENTIFYING MARKS AND POSSIBLE EVIDENCE. SOURCES OF INFORMATION FOR POLICE OFFICERS INVESTIGATING A STOLEN AUTO CASE ARE REVIEWED, INCLUDING FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND THE NATIONAL AUTO THEFT BUREAU, WHICH PROVIDES INFORMATION AND EXPERTS FOR POLICE. CONDITIONS CONDUCIVE TO THE THEFT OF AN AUTO ARE REVIEWED, AND IT IS NOTED THAT AUTO THEFT IS OFTEN CONSIDERED THE 'KINDERGARTEN OF CRIME,' BECAUSE MOST THIEVES ARE YOUNG AND ARE USUALLY JUST BEGINNING A CRIME CAREER. OFFICERS ARE ALSO INFORMED OF THE POSSIBILITY THAT AN OWNER MAY ABANDON AND STRIP HIS OWN VEHICLE IN ORDER TO COLLECT THE INSURANCE ON IT. FINALLY TECHNIQUES FOR PULLOVER AND ARREST OF THE THIEF, ONCE IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT THE CAR IS STOLEN, ARE DEMONSTRATED. (VDA)