This article focuses on the growing trend toward armed vehicle theft, especially carjacking. Some carjackings are done by organized rings of criminals, but most are done by individuals or small groups. The majority of carjackings occur in parking lots, residential streets or driveways, service stations, and intersections. another type of armed auto theft involves thieves who incapacitate parking garage attendants and them drive out of the garage with one or more cars. The need to obtain the key as well as the car seems to be the motivation for armed car thieves. The article explains what happens to cars after they are stolen. Most taken in carjackings are recovered, but many stolen cars end up in "chop shops" where they are dismantled or altered so that they can be sold. Documentation is obtained or fabricated so that the cars can be registered and insured. Recommended law enforcement countermeasures including the creation of multiagency task forces are discussed. The experience of the Detroit, Michigan Police Department which created a special task force on carjackings is described. Federal laws that are relevant in prosecuting car thieves are addressed including the Anti-Car Theft Act of 1992 which makes carjacking a Federal offense. Finally, a list is provided of precautions drivers should take to avoid getting carjacked.