• The crime trend the Auto Theft Section is experiencing in Wichita is the theft of these top five makes of vehicles: Honda, Chevy, Ford, Dodge and Pontiac vehicles. Currently, Wichita has approximately 5  vehicles reported stolen per day.
  
  
• 1,802 vehicles were reported stolen in 2011. 1,441 vehicles were recovered.  1,480 cases were assigned to four detectives in the Auto Theft Section for follow-up investigation. 469 cases were charged.
  
• Stolen vehicles can be used for a short joyride, stripped for parts, involved in hit and run accidents, or kept longer to commit other crimes.

 If You Are The Victim of an Auto Theft, Don't Panic.

Promptly report the theft to the police and your insurance company or agent. Please provide as much of the following information as you can:

• Vehicle year, make, and model
• VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
• Color(s) of vehicle
• License plate number
• Insurance company and policy number

Auto Theft Prevention Tips

1.
Never leave keys inside your vehicle or motorcycle. 313 of the reported stolen vehicles in 2008 had the keys left inside the ignition running or the doors unlocked with a key hidden inside.

2.
Every time you get out, lock your vehicle and roll up all of the windows. 
 
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 mornings, 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 signatures 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 place for your 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!

13.
Don’t link your keys to your identification, whether it be a tag on your key ring or attaching them to your wallet. If you lose your keys or wallet, a thief will know where you live and could steal your car or burglarize your home.

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