Ok, looks aren't everything, particularly when it comes to thieves.
The Michigan Automobile Theft Prevention Authority's 2013 report says that the top car stolen in the state in 2012 was the 2000 Dodge Caravan, followed by the 2005 Chevrolet Impala. The third most stolen was the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu, the Detroit News reports.
Not exactly the hottest-looking cars.
Dan Vartanian, the authority’s executive director, tells The News that the older model cars are easier to break into because they have less sophisticated anti-theft technology. “It’s easy access,” Vartanian said.
Nationally, the 2000 Dodge Caravan was the sixth most-stolen model, Ursula Watson of The News reports. The most stolen was 1996 Honda Accord, followed by the 1998 Honda Civic and the 2006 Ford pickup.
The report for 2012 stolen cars noted that in Metro Detroit, Wayne County had the most car thefts with 15,352, followed by Macomb with 1,950 and Oakland at 1,850.
The organization H.E.A.T. (Help Eliminate Auto Thefts) recently warned Michigan residents via a press release that while overall, thefts of vehicles are down in Michigan for a sixth consecutive year, there has been a sharp uptick in the number of auto theft-related crimes including carjackings, online/Craigslist fraud, component theft and insurance fraud.
The organization urges anyone with information about stolen vehicles, chop shops and suspected auto theft activities such as insurance fraud, identify theft or carjackings, to call its hotline at 1-800-242-HEAT).
Tipsters can receive rewards of up to $1,000 for the arrest or warrant of someone suspected of auto theft, insurance fraud or identify theft; $2,000 for the arrest and warrant of a carjacking suspect, and up to $10,000 for the arrest or binding over for trial of suspected theft ring members.
-- Allan Lengel
