Explain the problem of vehicle theft in regards to:• Current trends at the
national level Right Ans - National Auto Theft Statistics - 2011: National
Crime Bureau indicates a decline, FBI average $$ per vehicle $6152, Property
loss $4.5 billion pa, 11.8 of Auto theft cleared, Every 40 seconds a vehicle is
stolen, carjacking only account for 3%, and Technology.
Describe the various techniques used in stealing vehicles: Right Ans - •
Duplicate key / remote keyless entry, uses several variations of guises to get a
copy of the key for the chosen car: test drive, pose as owner, gets key codes
from the owner's manual. Use of modified screwdriver is a clue that a theft has
at least been attempted. Jumper wires / hot wiring: tow truck and flatbed car
haulers, punched ignition / slide hammer / dent-puller, and steering column
change (Chicago peel)
Locate the Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) on cars, trucks, and
motorcycles• Public VIN (1968 and newer)- Right Ans - visible through
windshield, usually on dash (Porsche and Corvette on window column), Metal
tag that's stamped, engraved or embossed. (1999 and newer beetles have a
printed label glued to the dash). VIN attachments can vary depending on year
and make. Refer to the NICB on line for attachment methods.
Locate the Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) on cars, trucks, and
motorcycles• Federal Standards Compliance Label or Warranty tag: Right
Ans - Driver's side door or door frame, contains full VIN, date of manufacture
and nation of origin (must be consistent with first digit of the VIN). May
include bar code, and generally a sticker (may be a metal plate).
Describe any special characters used in the VIN Process: Right Ans - • Ex.
1FA HP24W 0 8G160123 (Engine Vin)
• 9th character = Check Digit
• 10th character Year
Recognize the methods used by vehicle theft rings, chop shops, and
commercial salvage operations:
• Chop Shops- Right Ans - Commercial business having suspects go out and
find vehicles to take back and have them take the vehicle apart to sell the
parts.
, Recognize the methods used by vehicle theft rings, chop shops, and
commercial salvage operations:
• Auto Fraud Right Ans - Usually involves a salvage vehicle, title is
physically altered or "washed" through another state to remove damage
brands. Salvage is either repaired and sold as a "Clean" vehicle or used on a
VIN switched stolen.
Recognize the methods used by vehicle theft rings, chop shops, and
commercial salvage operations:
• Salvage Fraud Right Ans - Obtain clean title for vehicle, chemically alter
title, use DMV employee, insure vehicle, obtain loan on vehicle to purchase
vehicle from your associate ($19,000), report vehicle stolen, and profit=
$17,200 (3 days work).
Recognize the methods used by vehicle theft rings, chop shops, and
commercial salvage operations:•
Clone- Right Ans - Thief finds vehicle, writes down the VIN, then duplicates
(counterfeits) the VIN and other identifiers, then steals a similar vehicle uses
the duplicate VIN to change identity of the stolen vehicle, he re-tags the stolen
vehicle. Then he obtains either stolen or counterfeit ownership documents for
the twin-VIN'ed or cloned stolen vehicle.
Spot types of irregularities that normally attract attention to a stolen motor
vehicle: Right Ans - • Rolling (mobile)
Indicators:
o An old plate on a new car
o Punched door lock, window broken out, vehicle with "throw away" wheels
and tires, headlights off at night, and unusual operation of vehicle due to
unfamiliarity.
o Stopped or parked, unusual location, exterior condition, missing parts,
switched or missing plates, and vandalized.
Explain license plate irregularities that attract attention to a stolen vehicle:
Right Ans - • Dirty, rusted, generally beat up license plate on relatively nice
car, a license plate secured by wire or string, unusual looking temporary
plates, and dealer plates and rental car plates.