Motor Vehicle theft investigation

Question 1

Juvenile Thefts

Answer 1

Largest percentage of stolen vehicles and the largest recovery rate. Usually for joyriding. There is usually no intent to permanently deprive the owner of the use of their vehicle. The vehicle is usually abandoned near the place from which it was stolen

Question 2

Transportation theft

Answer 2

Merely for transportation from one place to another, or for use in the commission of another crime. By committing this crime in a stolen vehicle, the suspect may later make his getaway in his own vehicle without fear of recognition. Auto thieves normally do not risk attracting attention to themselves by stopping for gas or repairs

Question 3

Commercial or Professional Thefts

Answer 3

This type of theft gives law enforcement officers the most problems. These theft are always for monetary gain and account for the largest dollar loss for the victim and the insurance companies

Question 4

Accessory Theft

Answer 4

Vehicles are stolen for the purpose of stripping the accessories and are usually recovered in rural areas because of the time needed to remove the accessories without being discovered

Question 5

Salvage Racket

Answer 5

The salvage racket begins with the suspect’s purchase of a late model, wrecked vehicle. His primary interest list the vehicle identification number (VIN) the license plate and the vehicles registration. These are then removed and the rest of the vehicle is cut up and sold for scrap metal or to other salvage dealers

Question 6

Junker Racket

Answer 6

The Junker racket involves a disreputable salvage company. Late model vehicles are located during the day and later that night, these vehicles are towed to the salvage company lot. The salvageable parts are removed and the remainder is immediately cut up and disposed of as scrap metal

Question 7

Counterfeit Registration and Certificates of Title

Answer 7

The suspect first obtains a legitimate registration and certificate of title from a late model vehicle. Transfers all the information to fraudulent documents and returns the legitimate documents. Another vehicle of the same make, model and year is stolen and often transported to another state where it can be sold

Question 8

Insurance Fraud

Answer 8

The vehicle is reported stolen to make the insurance company liable for reimbursements. The vehicle is destroyed by the owner of or agent usually by burning or pushing it over a cliff or into a body of water

Question 9

Vehicle Identification numbers

Answer 9

These plates contain 17 digits of coded data that indicate manufacture, body style, place of assembly and the sequence in which the vehicle left the assembly line. The most effective method of identifying a suspected stolen vehicle is the vin number