• The crime trend the Auto Theft Section is experiencing in Wichita is the theft of these five top vehicles: Chevy, Ford, Dodge, Pontiac, and Honda vehicles. 75% of the vehicles stolen are recovered. Currently, Wichita has about 5 - 6 vehicles reported stolen per day.
  
  
• 1,922 vehicles were reported stolen in 2005. 488 cases were assigned to five Detectives in the Auto Theft Section for follow-up investigation.  413 cases were charged and 219 cases were cleared by arrest. The national clearance rate is 11.1%. We proudly have a 21.6% clearance rate. Exceeding the national average by 10.6 percent.
  
  
• Stolen vehicles can be used for a short joyride, stripped for parts, involved in hit and run accidents, or kept longer to commit crimes.
  

Auto Theft Prevention Tips

1.
Never leave keys inside your vehicle or motorcycle. 9% of all stolen vehicles had the keys left inside and the doors unlocked.
 
2.
Every time you get out, lock your vehicle and close the windows. Approximately 53 of the stolen vehicles, were unlocked.
 
3.
Do not hide a second key in your vehicle or inside a magnetic box. These extra keys can be found easily. 
 
4.
Don't leave your vehicle or motorcycle running, even if it's just to run into the daycare, school, or convenience store. Vehicles are often stolen at convenience stores, service stations or ATMs. Vehicles are stolen while warming-up and unattended on cold morning, because of the "opportunity". Leaving your key in an unattended vehicle is a violation of a state statute.
 
5.
Don't make your vehicle or motorcycle more attractive to thieves. Secure all valuable out of sight and take your helmet with you or secure it.  Thieves are opportunist and walk parking lots looking for easy targets.
 
6.
Do not leave your title in the glove box! File the title at home or in a safety deposit box. Carry the registration in your wallet or purse. Notarized signature's are no longer required in the State of Kansas when a vehicle is sold. A thief can easily forge your name and sell your vehicle, thus the glove box is not a safe home for you title.
 
7.
Advice for buying a vehicle: when dealing with a private individual make certain the title and registration match the name of the person attempting to sell you the vehicle. If the seller does not have a title this could indicate a problem. In the state of Kansas an owner will not have a title if a lien has been placed on the vehicle. If the deal sounds too good...be suspicious!
 
8.
Protect yourself when allowing a buyer to test drive your vehicle. You may not know this person and it could be the last time you see your vehicle.

9.
Don't leave vehicles unattended on private property without the owner's permission.  Vehicles are subject to a private property tow, on the authority of the owner or property manager.

10.
Don't store vehicles unattended in public accessible areas, such as corner lots "For Sale By Owner".

11.
Don't leave vehicles abandoned on public or private property, with flat tires, inoperable, or expired tags.  These vehicles are targeted and could end up at an auto recycling center.

12.
If you have any doubt that your vehicle may not be returned to you, don't loan it out!

    
If you have any information about this type of crime or any other auto thefts, please contact the Auto Theft section at 268-4336.