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Criminal Investigation

FIFTEEN
Vehicle Thefts and Related Offenses

eighth edition

Swanson Chamelin Territo


McGraw-Hill
2003, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

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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2003, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

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

(Courtesy National Insurance Crime Bureau)

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FRAUDULENT THEFT SCHEMES


Fraudulent auto theft claim schemes fall into three major categories:
False-Vehicle Schemes False-Theft Schemes Inflated-Theft Loss Schemes Defrauding the Owner and Insurer

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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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PROBLEMS RELATING TO THEFT OF OFF-ROAD EQUIPMENT

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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PROBLEMS RELATING TO THEFT OF OFF-ROAD EQUIPMENT (cont'd)

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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ILLUSTRATIONS OF HEAVY CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT

Theft of heavy construction equipment


More than 2,500 pieces of this equipment are stolen each year Title or registration of this equipment is not mandatory The value of these pieces of equipment make them lucrative targets for thieves

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COMMERCIAL VEHICLE AND CARGO THEFT


As noted earlier, the insurance industry pays out about $18 million a year for commercial vehicle theft
In actuality, it is difficult to convert this figure to numbers of vehicles because commercial vehicle theft statistics are part of the overall motor vehicle theft numbers

The theft of cargo from or in commercial vehicles is a rapidly growing criminal enterprise

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INVESTIGATIVE TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES


Major Investigative Resources
National Insurance Crime Bureau Canadian Insurance Crime Prevention Bureau. The Canadian Insurance Crime Prevention Bureau is to Canada what NICB is to the United States. International Association of Auto Theft Investigators. Another resource available to the investigator is the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators. State Organizations

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INVESTIGATIVE TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES (cont'd)


State Organizations National Crime Information Center Special Investigative Units AAMVANET Government Agencies Manufacturers

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INVESTIGATIVE TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES (cont'd)


North American Export Committee National Equipment Register

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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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VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION (cont'd)


VIN Editing and Reconstruction. In any investigation, even where it appears that the VIN has not been altered or defaced, it is incumbent on the investigator to check the validity of the identifying numbers. VIN Restoration. The restoration of manufacturers serial numbers altered or obliterated from metal is a process that can be performed by an investigator with the proper material at hand.

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EXAMPLE OF 17 DIGIT VIN SYSTEM


Vehicle Identification numbering systems
is an individualized means of identifying a motor vehicle it involves 17 characters for all U.S. made cars
1 G 1 A W 69 K 2 C R 133183

Nation of origin

Make

Car line

Engine symbol

Model year

Sequential production number

Manufacturer symbol

Restraint

Body type

Check digit

Assembly plant

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STOLEN VEHICLE INDICATORS


The thorough investigator will become suspicious enough from the presence of certain indicators to pursue an investigation to determine if auto theft has occurred The indicators relate to the condition of the vehicle and/or the suspicious driver's behaviors Missing or damaged ignition locks Damaged doors, glove compartment or trunk Broken or missing window glass

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STOLEN VEHICLE INDICATORS (cont'd)


Operating at night without lights Being pushed or towed at night Pry marks Hidden or parked in a remote area

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STOLEN VEHICLE INDICATORS (cont'd)


Missing parts or accessories A nervous driver A driver unfamiliar with the operation A driver wearing gloves in warm weather

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INVESTIGATION OF FRAUD CASES


Generally, the investigation of a motor vehicle fraudulent insurance claim case will center around questions involving the insured, the insurance policy, identification information on the vehicle, the police report, the status of the certificate of title, the condition of the vehicle, and any unusual conditions surrounding the claim.

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15-16 2003, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

VEHICLE THEFT FRAUD INDICATORS


Examples would include but not be limited to:
Insured has lived at current address less than six months Insureds address is a PO box or mail drop Vehicle was purchased with case with no bill of sale

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VEHICLE THEFT FRAUD INDICATORS (cont'd)


Vehicle has an incorrect VIN. Loss occurs within one month of issue or expiration of policy Police Report is not made by insured or has been delayed Salvage yard or repair garage takes unusual interest in claim Appraiser has difficulty in getting into the body shop to view and estimate damage

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INVESTIGATION OF VEHICLE FIRES


Inspection of Salvage External Inspection Internal Inspection

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INVESTIGATION OF VEHICLE FIRES (cont'd)


Inspection of the fuel system Inspection of the Electrical System Inspection of the Motor, Radiator, and Parts Under and Near the Hood Inspection of the Body

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VEHICLE THEFT PREVENTION TECHNIQUES


Some devices used to deter auto theft include:
Audible alarm systems The boot under a front tire Collars over steering column bowls Decal alert systems that specify when the vehicle should not be driven

(Courtesy Citizens for Auto-Theft ResponsibilityC.A.R., Inc.)

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VEHICLE THEFT PREVENTION TECHNIQUES (cont'd)


Fuel shut-off devices Steering column ignition locks Protective caps that cover ignitions Transponders in the ignition that must be run electronically

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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

(Courtesy Citizens for Auto-Theft ResponsibilityC.A.R., Inc.)

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15-20 2003, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

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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15-21 2003, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

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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15-22 2003, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

TITLE & REGISTRATION ISSUES RELATED TO MARINE THEFT

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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15-23 2003, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

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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15-24 2003, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

AIRCRAFT AND AVIONICS THEFT


Scope of the problem:
Not as prevalent as theft of motor vehicles. Theft of aircraft equipment if very lucrative

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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AIRCRAFT AND AVIONICS THEFT (cont'd)


Aircraft Identification:
Have same basic identification information as do motor vehicles Have registration number similar to license plates Have a VIN Have a make and model

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