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FIFTEEN
Vehicle Thefts and Related Offenses
eighth edition
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Identify types of motor vehicle theft Be familiar with techniques for disposing of stolen motor vehicles Describe challenges associated with the theft investigation of heavy equipment and farm equipment Identify major investigative resources Discuss methods for assisting in the identification of a recovered vehicle List and explain several vehicle theft fraud indicators Describe vehicle fire investigation methods Explain vehicle and equipment theft prevention approaches Assess title and registration issues related to marine theft Discuss aircraft and avionics theft and relevant identification and investigative techniques.
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AUTO THEFT
It has been estimated that approximately two percent of reported thefts are of motorcycles National and international rings operate, particularly in cities near ports, to export vehicles Since the collapse of communism in eastern Europe, the theft of motor vehicles has skyrocketed The theft of airbags and the resale of stolen salvaged airbags is becoming epidemic
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TYPES OF THEFT
Motor vehicle thefts generally fall into one of four categories: temporary theft, joy riding, professional theft or fraud
Temporary theft. The term temporary theft is used not to imply that the crime is not serious but, rather, to distinguish joyriding from something more ominous. Joyriding. Joyriders are most often teenagers - 15 to 19 years old - who steal a car simply to drive and then abandon it. Professional Theft. The professional car thief is motivated by very high profits and generally low risk. Fraud. These various types of crimes are generally committed by the owner, and the underlying purpose is to profit at the expense of an insurance company.
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TECHNIQUES TO DISPOSE OF STOLEN VEHICLES Chop Shops. Very simply, a chop shop is a place where stolen vehicles are disassembled for resale of their parts. Quick Strip. A vehicle is stolen and stripped mainly for valuable accessories such as seats, stereos, car phones, and tires. Salvage Switch. To the criminal the value of a salvaged vehicle is far greater than its parts. Export. Vehicles manufactured in the United States are extremely popular in other countries. Fraud B in General. Fraudulent auto theft claims are not the only type of fraud to which the insurance industry is subjected, but it is a significant part.
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CHOP SHOPS
Inside Chop Shops:
Stolen vehicles are cut apart Parts are sold to repair shops Parts are also sold to salvage yards
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FALSE-VEHICLE SCHEME
The insuring of and subsequent reported theft of a vehicle that never existed
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FALSE-THEFT SCHEME
A reported vehicle theft that may in reality be an attempted insurance fraud by hiding, disposing of or giving up the vehicle
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There are numerous problems relating to the theft of off-road equipment Absence of titling and registration requirements The lack of a uniform vehicle identification numbering system The lack of an effective inventory control system by the equipment owners
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Until recently there were no permanent ID numbers on off-road equipment. Unfamiliarity of most law enforcement officers with the:
nature identity terminology of heavy equipment
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The theft of cargo from or in commercial vehicles is a rapidly growing criminal enterprise
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VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION
Often the most difficult and time-consuming task facing an investigator is the identification of a recovered vehicle
Federal Safety Certification Label. All cars distributed in the United States since 1970 must have a federal safety certification label. Federal Legislation. In an effort to reduce auto theft by easing the process of vehicle identification, Congress enacted the Motor Vehicle Theft Law Enforcement Act of 1984.
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Nation of origin
Make
Car line
Engine symbol
Model year
Manufacturer symbol
Restraint
Body type
Check digit
Assembly plant
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A COLLAR
The collar is:
used to deter auto theft made of steel or alloy is attached to the steering column bowl to stop penetration
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EQUIPMENT THEFT PREVENTION TECHNIQUES Examples of techniques used to prevent the theft of heavy or farm equipment include:
Security devices such as ignition locks Do not leave keys in any equipment Photograph all equipment Leave equipment in well-lit areas
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MARINE THEFT
Scope of the Problem
Marine theft is a serious problem to the boating community It includes the theft of boats, boat trailers, outboard motors, jet skis, and all equipment associated with boating or water activities
Hull Identification
Effective November 1, 1972, the Federal Boating Safety Act of 1971 required boats to have a 12 character hull identification number
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Over 30 states require that boats be titled, but only a few states require the titling of outboard motors
Many boats are exempt from titling due to length or horsepower Many jurisdictions dont have computerized registration systems Registration files in only a few states can be accessed using the National Law Enforcement Telecommunication System
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MARINE POLICE
Marine theft is a serious problem and includes stealing of:
boats trailers outboard motors all equipment associated with boating
Bonnie Kamin)
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Investigation Resources
Investigators should contact airport management, aircraft companies, etc. to learn about avionics Obtain as much information as possible before conducting a major avionics investigation
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