Auto Theft Facts
http://www.crimedoctor.com/autotheft1.htm
Auto theft is an estimated $7.5 billion business and continues to grow despite a declining theft rate across the USA, according to the FBI. The auto theft rate dropped about 8.4% in 1998, but the value of those cars stolen increased by 11% or $200 million dollars
There are some large organized groups of car thieves that seemingly fill orders for a contract buyer. Some cars are stolen for shipment out of the country, especially to Mexico
I used to live in NM, and many stolen vehicles there are never recovered, because they aren’t in NM any more. I’ve heard it’s so bad in El Paso, that if you leave your car running in your driveway and go back in the house for 30 seonds, it’s possible for your car to be gone when you return.