Patrol provides car theft protection tips

Ohio State Highway Patrol information

According to federal sources, vehicle theft is the second most profitable crime in the United States, surpassed only by the illegal narcotics trade. For this reason, vehicle theft reduction is an important priority for Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers. State troopers are well aware that criminals are traveling in stolen vehicles amidst law-abiding motorists to carry out other crimes.

The Patrol has a dedicated program for auto theft recovery that assures its commitment to the recovery of stolen vehicles and the protection of Ohio roadways. From 2008-2010, the Patrol retrieved 2,131 stolen vehicles throughout Ohio. The Findlay District alone recovered 184 stolen vehicles. Additionally, it was found that 32 percent of vehicles reported stolen are from Cuyahoga and Franklin counties.

To protect a vehicle from break-ins, the Patrol recommends the following:

• Never leave a car running or leave the keys in the ignition when it is unattended.
• Keep car doors locked at all times
• Those who have a garage should park their car inside and lock the garage door.
• Don’t store packages or valuables in plain sight — remove CD players or GPS systems.
• Park a car in a safe, well lit, or well-traveled area at night — avoid long-term parking lots.
• Have a vehicle identification number etched into the windows and major parts of a car to make the vehicle harder to resell on the black market.
• If a vehicle is stolen, report it to a local law enforcement agency immediately. Quick action cannot only help recover a vehicle, but may also prevent its use for illegal purposes. To view the entire auto theft analysis visit www.statepatrol.ohio.gov/doc/April_Auto_Theft.pdf.

The ongoing efforts of Ohio troopers continue to be a driving force in the overall reduction of auto theft and are having a significant impact on related crimes across the state.