Top 10 theft hit list

TOP 10 HITS: What thieves target most

For ProPickup by Peter DuPre

“Sedate family cars and fuel sippers aren’t on the hot list,” says Kim Hazelbaker, Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDA) senior vice president. “Thieves are after chrome, horsepower, and HEMIs.

“Pickups are a group to watch: In many cases it’s tough to pinpoint exactly why a vehicle becomes a theft target,” Hazelbaker says.

“Investigators tell us big work trucks like the Ford F-250/350, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, and Dodge Ram 2500 are attractive not only because of the vehicles themselves but also because of the tools and cargo they carry.”

Here’s the HDLA’s most recent findings on vehicle thefts:

Top 10 insurance theft losses for 2007-09 passenger vehicles:

  1. Cadillac Escalade
  2. Ford F-250 crew 4WD (2008-09)
  3. Infiniti G37 2-door (2008-09)
  4. Dodge Charger HEMI
  5. Chevrolet Corvette Z06
  6. Hummer H2 4WD
  7. Nissan Pathfinder Armada
  8. Chevrolet Avalanche 1500
  9. Chevrolet Silverado 1500 crew
  10. GMC Yukon

* Top Ten Makes/Models Stolen and Recovered in U.S. for 2009:

  1. 1994 Honda Accord
  2. 1995 Honda Civic
  3. 1991 Toyota Camry
  4. 1997 Ford F-150 Pickup
  5. 2004 Dodge Ram Pickup
  6. 2000 Dodge Caravan
  7. 1994 Chevrolet Silverado
  8. 1994 Acura Integra
  9. 2002 Ford Explorer
  10. 2009 Toyota Corolla

*Source: National Insurance Crime Bureau Statistics

Thieves choose the above vehicles because of the huge profit potential when the vehicles are stripped to supply a vast black market for stolen parts.

  • Nearly 40% of all vehicle thefts occur in or near ports and/or border communities.
  • Vehicle theft is the costliest property crime in the U.S., costing consumers and businesses more than $8.6 billion annually.
  • The popularity of mini vans, pickups, trucks, and sport utility vehicles makes them an increasingly attractive target for thieves, and contractor/services vehicles that are outfitted with extra equipment are doubly attractive because it means even more money for the thieves when the onboard gear is sold.

*Top ten states with the most stolen and recovered vehicles in 2009 were:

  1. California
  2. Texas
  3. Florida
  4. New York
  5. Massachusetts
  6. New Jersey
  7. Arizona
  8. Maryland
  9. Nevada
  10. Georgia

*Source: National Insurance Crime Bureau Statistics