Full Notification

Modesto, CA- Investigators from the Stanislaus County Auto Theft Task Force will release an awareness and preventative campaign to reduce the recent rise in auto theft in the area.

Auto theft in the Central Valley has been a continuing challenge for local law enforcement officers. For the past five years the “Modesto Metropolitan Area” has ranked nationally in the top 3 areas as having the highest auto theft rates per capita. Although the number of overall stolen vehicles has decreased within the last few years, investigators have recently seen a slight increase in auto theft, since May 2010.

When comparing year-to-date statistics from January thru September of 2009 to January thru September of 2010, the city of Modesto has seen a 6.4% increase. Within this same time period Stanislaus County has seen an 8% increase in auto theft.

On average, the Modesto Police Department receives three stolen vehicle reports a day. Although Stanislaus County law enforcement has been successful in recovering over 90% of the stolen vehicles, officers will be taking a more preventative approach which focuses on reducing the number of stolen vehicles.

Starting Monday, November 8th, officers from the countywide auto theft task force will begin a campaign that will focus on reducing auto theft through awareness and prevention. In addition to the ongoing suppression efforts, such as arresting thieves, recovering stolen vehicles, and prosecuting auto theft offenders, local police agencies will focus on prevention efforts by giving away free anti-theft steering wheel locking devices to owners of the top nine most stolen cars in Stanislaus County.

Investigators have identified the top nine most stolen vehicles in Stanislaus County as:

1. 1989 to 1997 Honda Accord
2. 1988 to 2000 Honda Civic
3. 1987 to 1991 Toyota Camry
4. 1990 to 1998 Acura Integra
5. 1984 to 1988 Toyota Tacoma
6. 1993 to 1995 Saturn SL
7. 1992 to 1994 Nissan Sentra
8. 1996 to 2007 Chevy Silverado
9. 2002 to 2004 Cadillac Escalade

The Stanislaus County Auto Theft Taskforce will be launching the campaign at the Modesto Police Department by providing free steering wheel locks starting November 8th, between 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The only three requirements are:

1. Own a vehicle on the top nine most stolen vehicle list
2. Vehicle must be currently registered
3. Be a resident of Stanislaus County

The auto theft task force was able to purchase the anti-theft devices through donations from the National Insurance Crime Bureau. Additional devices were purchased by funding from the Auto Theft Task Force and the Modesto Police Department’s asset forfeiture funds.

The Stanislaus County Auto Theft Task Force, which is commonly referred to as StanCATT, is a multi-agency team of investigators comprised of various law enforcement agencies within Stanislaus County.

Sergeant Aaron Tait, a supervisor of the Stanislaus County Auto Theft Task Force, said, “Often time vehicles are stolen for crimes of opportunity. The doors are unlocked, windows are down, or the car is running and no one is around. Thieves will take the vehicles to commit other crimes, take the contents, such as the radio or rims, or merely take it for quick transportation.”

A common sense approach to protection is the simplest and most cost-effective way to thwart would-be thieves. Auto theft investigators recommend you should secure your vehicle even if parking for a brief period. You should always:

• Remove your keys from the ignition
• Lock your doors / close your windows
• Park in a well-lit area

All Stanislaus County law enforcement agencies will be participating in the free anti-theft steering wheel lock give-away. To pick up a free lock, simply stop by any of the participating law enforcement agencies on or after November 8rd.

California Highway Patrol California State University, Police
4030 Kiernan Avenue One University Circle
Modesto, CA 95356 Turlock, CA 95382

Ceres Police Department Hughson Police Services
2727 Third Street 7018 Pine Street
Ceres, CA 95307 Hughson, CA 95326

Modesto Police Department Newman Police Department
600 10th Street 1200 Main Street
Modesto, CA 95354 Newman, CA 95360

Oakdale Police Department Patterson Police Services
245 N. Second Street 344 West Las Palmas Avenue
Oakdale, CA 95361 Patterson, CA 95363

Riverbank Police Services Stanislaus County District Attorney
6727 Third Street 832 12th Street
Riverbank, CA 95367 Modesto, CA 95354

Modesto Junior College Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Dept.
West Campus John Muir Building 250 E. Hackett Road
Modesto, CA 95352 Modesto, CA 95358

Waterford Police Services Turlock Police Department
320 E. Street 900 North Palm Street
Waterford, CA 95386 Turlock, CA 95380

Police ask anyone who may have information regarding the identity of suspected auto thieves to call Crime Stoppers toll free at (209) 521-4636. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward. Tipsters can also text information to Crime Stoppers by sending a text message to 274637. Just type “TIP704” along with your message.

For information about this news release, contact police spokesman Sergeant Rick Armendariz at (209) 652-1820.