Car thefts in South Lake Tahoe rose in 2013, leveled off in 2014

In the State of California, vehicle thefts dropped 7% in 2014, marking the second straight year of decline.

For South Lake Tahoe, it was the first year of decline in three years.

In 2013, vehicle thefts in the city limits jumped 46% from 37 stolen cars to 54. Following in 2014, there was a drop of 7% when 50 cars were stolen according to figures obtained by South Tahoe Now from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department.

To date, 2015 is looking to be a repeat of last year with 25 car thefts through June.

In 2012, 174,457 vehicles were stolen in California, which was an 11.26 percent increase from 2011. Vehicle thefts decreased by 2 percent in 2013, to 171,036. Thefts continued to decrease in 2014, dropping to 159,271, a decrease of 6.9 percent from 2013.

“While the continuing decline in theft is good news,” CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow said, “people need to remember that vehicle theft is a crime of opportunity. Simple deterrents such as locking vehicle doors, parking in a secure or highly visible location, and not leaving the car running unattended can make all the difference.”

In South Lake Tahoe, unattended and unlocked cars provide the car thieves with an opportunity as well though cars warming up in colder temperatures don't appear to attract the opportunistic thief.

Based on recent figures, November, December and February tend to be the slower months for car thieves in South Lake Tahoe.

January - 6 car thefts in 2014, 7 in 2015
February - 3 car thefts in 2014, 2 in 2015
March - 5 car thefts in 2014, 4 in 2015
April - 5 car thefts in 2014, 4 in 2015
May - 4 car thefts in 2014, 2 in 2015
June - 4 in 2014, 6 in 2015
July - 5 in 2104
August - 6 in 2014
September - 4 in 2014
October - 6 in 2014
November - 1 in 2014
December - 1 in 2014

The estimated total value of the stolen vehicles for the state is approximately $900 million. Almost 90 percent of the vehicles were successfully recovered. Of the vehicles recovered statewide, 65 percent were recovered intact and in drivable condition. Less than 4 percent were missing major components, 12 percent were stripped of minor parts, and 18.9 percent were intentionally burned or wrecked. Additionally, in 2014, 65 of the recovered vehicles, or 0.1 percent, were cargo theft only – the products in a commercial vehicle were stolen, but the vehicle and trailer were not stolen.

According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the most popular cars for thieves are the 1996, 1994, and 1997 Honda Accord. The 2007 Suzuki was the most-stolen motorcycle and the 1988 Toyota pickup was the most-stolen personal truck. Toyota pickups have been the most frequently stolen pickup truck since 1984, attributed to its resale value, interchangeable parts, and availability.

Almost half of vehicle thefts occurred in the five Southern California counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego, which constitute 54 percent of California’s population. The five Bay Area counties of Alameda, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara accounted for approximately 20 percent of all vehicle theft.