Pickups are not only popular among Texas drivers, they are also the top targets for Texas vehicle thieves!
The Texas Department of Public Safety has released its final report on
the top vehicles reported stolen in Texas during 2005, and as has been
the case for several years, the Chevrolet Pickup holds the No. 1 stolen
vehicle position. Coming in at a close No. 2 is the Ford Pickup. In the
No. 3 position, the Dodge Pickup also remains a popular target for
Texas thieves. The Honda Accord and the Honda Civic round out the top
five stolen vehicles.
2005 TEXAS TOP 10 STOLEN VEHICLES
- Chevrolet Pickup
- Ford Pickup
- Dodge Pickup
- Honda Accord
- Honda Civic
- GMC Pickup
- Chevrolet Tahoe
- Ford Taurus
- Toyota Camry
- Ford Mustang
Vehicles are stolen for a variety of reasons, and contrary to popular
belief, the most stolen vehicles are several years old. Some are stolen
and stripped for parts. Others are stolen and resold by the thief to
another party. Many vehicles are stolen for joyriding, transportation,
use in committing other crimes, to support drug habits, or to
perpetrate insurance fraud. And vehicle theft costs Texans more money
than any other crime — over $757 million in 2004.
The Texas Automobile Theft Prevention Authority (ATPA), a division
of the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDoT), has funded law
enforcement programs specializing in vehicle theft investigation,
recovery, prevention and prosecution since 1991 when Texas reached an
all-time high for vehicle theft. Since then, Texas has realized a 43%
reduction in the vehicle theft total and a 56% reduction in the vehicle
theft rate.
