US car thefts soar to highest level in years, data shows

While incidents of violent crime in many large US cities are down, car thefts are soaring.

More than 1 million cars were stolen last year, the highest number since 2008, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, or NICB.

"We are seeing vehicle theft numbers that we haven't seen in nearly 15 years, and there is very little deterrent to stop criminals from committing these acts, as they are just property crimes, like shoplifting," said David Glawe, president and CEO of the NICB.

The thefts are continuing at a high rate.

More cars have been stolen this year across all of New York City than at the same time last year. While the numbers of murders, robberies and burglaries are down compared to 2022, police statistics show auto thefts increased by 51.1 percent, with 5,420 incidents as of June 5, compared to 3,587 incidents by the same time in 2021.

The New York City Police Department said nearly half of all stolen cars are three brands: Kia, Hyundai and Honda.

Bill, who lives on Manhattan's Upper West Side and asked that his last name not be used, told China Daily that his 2021 Honda CR-V was stolen last week.

"It was parked in front of our apartment building," he said. "I looked out the window at 5:30 am, and it wasn't there. It was quite a shock."

He said he spent two hours at the local police precinct filling out paperwork and was interviewed by detectives. "Why detectives? Because the mayor is putting an emphasis on stopping car thefts," he said.

Mayor Eric Adams said, "The aggravating number of grand larceny auto continues to drive up crime in the city and give a false sense that we're not moving in the right direction when we are."

New York City police have been giving out steering wheel locks to some Kia, Hyundai and Honda drivers and also tracking devices like Apple AirTags. They are hidden in a car and track where it is.

Owners reported a surge in thefts of cars after TikTok videos showed how to steal them using a screwdriver and a USB charger. In May, the auto companies agreed to pay owners $200 million to settle a class-action lawsuit over the issue.

Police said car thieves take them apart and sell the parts. More sophisticated thieves often create new keys or key fobs for stolen vehicles, as well as new vehicle identification numbers and paperwork so the vehicles can then be sold.