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  #1  
Old 03-07-2003, 04:46 PM
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Real Grand Theft Auto

The National Insurance Crime Bureau reports that a new trend in auto theft targets headlights and air bags. Some time ago auto thieves realized that they could make more money by stripping parts from stolen cars and selling them separately. Now that electronic keys have made it more difficult for thieves to steal vehicles by driving them away, the thieves are now removing parts and leaving the targeted cars parked.

In the 1980s the parts most often stolen were radios and hubcaps. After manufacturers began selling radios that drivers could easily remove and making hubcaps that could be locked onto cars, thieves turned to headlights and air bags.

Want to check the Top 10 stolen cars by make, state, metro area?


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Old 03-07-2003, 05:03 PM
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Maybe its cause I live in NY, but this is old news. Airbags have been stolen around here for about 5 years now. Nissan airbags in the then new Altima were particularly easy to steal.
Xenon lights have been ripped from cars since 2001. Awhile back I just started noticing cars with missing headlights and I thought maybe they had hit someone, but no Acura's and early xenon Maximas are particularly easy to rip.

Its a combination of replacement cost and ease of theft that drives these criminals...

Also As cars got harder to steal car jackings, especially in NJ and Florida, became the new MO
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Old 03-07-2003, 05:33 PM
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The Acura TL Xenon light are a volt in for the 1998-2002 Accord. That makes them POPULAR, and any TL owner is a real target.

Body shops buy an airbag for $100 instead of $1000, and charge you (or your ins. co.) full pop. It's the EP plan: Extra Profit.

Car thieves here rarely car-jack. To bypass electonic keys they wait until you're not home, took the "other car" and they break in and steal the keys, then the car.
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Old 03-07-2003, 06:05 PM
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Quote:
Originally posted by blackmercedes

Car thieves here rarely car-jack. To bypass electonic keys they wait until you're not home, took the "other car" and they break in and steal the keys, then the car.
Wow never thought of that one! I have heard of the flat bed truck way though. Car jackings do garner unwanted attention to these theives so they are less unlikely.
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Old 03-07-2003, 09:27 PM
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Yap... usually they rip the whole housing out with, but only taking the HID bulb and ignitor.....

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