There is no doubt that California is our nation’s largest economic contributor. There also is little argument that its current fiscal crisis has the state on the brink of financial ruin. Another statistic California leads the nation is – auto theft!

Despite recent technological breakthroughs auto theft remains a real problem in the United States. It is estimated that stolen cars cost consumers and insurance companies more than $8 billion last year! Of the more than 1 million cars stolen only about half are ever recovered.

Geography is a Key

If you are wondering why California is the nation’s leader with respect to auto theft look at its geography. It happens to share a huge border with Mexico, where many of the cars are taken to “chop shops” and the parts are re-sold.

Parts is Parts

Airbags are one of the key items that are extracted from stolen vehicles and resold. It is estimated that the black market for airbags exceeds $50 million per year. Tires and rims also have a strong black market.

With the price of precious metals skyrocketing, catalytic converters are often re-sold.

California Numbers

Eight of the top 10 cities for auto theft are in California, led by Fresno. Other California cities plagued by car theft include Sacramento, Stockton and Bakersfield. 

While the ratio of cars stolen in Fresno and Stockton are high as a percentage of total cars, Los Angeles has the most cars stolen. One researcher quipped that there are more cars stolen during one Lakers and Dodgers game than in a week in those other two cities combined.

California is the nation’s overall crime leader. Get this – Californians have a 1 in 178 chance of being a victim of a violent crime this year! Maybe some of those thieves should be taking theft classes to learn not to steal!