All articles tagged with #vehicle theft
A series of vehicle thefts involving a white tow truck have been reported across San Bernardino County, with victims noticing their cars disappearing from driveways and curbs without police awareness, prompting an investigation into possible organized crime.
A man in San Bernardino reports his Toyota Tacoma was stolen by an unmarked tow truck, leading to at least a dozen similar thefts in the area. Authorities are investigating, and residents are advised to use security devices like AirTags and surveillance cameras to protect their vehicles.
A suspect was taken into custody after pushing a WSP lieutenant to the ground and stealing her vehicle near Northgate, Seattle, leading to a police chase and PIT maneuver in Lynnwood; no injuries reported.
Samson Nacua, brother of LA Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua, was accused of stealing a BMW in West Hollywood, with another suspect, Trey Rose, who drove the vehicle. Both were arrested and released the same day, and the investigation is ongoing.
Hyundai and Kia will offer free repairs to millions of vehicles, including installing engine immobilizers, following a settlement with multiple states over inadequate anti-theft technology that led to a surge in thefts, with repairs expected from 2026 to 2027 and costs potentially exceeding $500 million.
Hyundai and Kia have agreed to a settlement requiring them to offer free repairs and install anti-theft technology, including engine immobilizers, on millions of vehicles sold in the U.S. since 2011, in response to increased thefts linked to social media videos demonstrating how to steal their cars, with repairs expected to be available from early 2026 to early 2027.
A woman staying at a sober living home in California stole a minivan, led police on a high-speed chase into Mexico, and was eventually stopped at the border; the vehicle was recovered in Tijuana, and the owner emphasized the importance of mental health and substance abuse support.
A retired Auburn University professor, Dr. Julie Schnuelle, was murdered at Kiesel Park, and her truck was stolen. A suspect, Harold Rashad Dabney III, was arrested nearby and linked to the scene. The university mourns her loss, and police are investigating.
Two armed carjackers stole three vehicles, including a semi-truck, during a police chase from Lancaster to downtown LA, eventually abandoning the vehicles and fleeing on foot.
The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is identified as America's most stolen vehicle, with a theft rate 39 times higher than average for recent model years, primarily due to its high horsepower and vulnerabilities in onboard data ports, despite recent security updates from GM. High-performance and expensive vehicles, especially pickup trucks, are more targeted by thieves, while electric and hybrid vehicles are less frequently stolen due to their lower street presence and charging requirements.
Police in Massachusetts are investigating two armed robberies at 7-Eleven stores on the South Shore, with suspects wielding handguns and fleeing with cash. The incidents in Norwell and Quincy involved masked males, and a stolen vehicle is believed to be connected to one of the robberies. Authorities are seeking tips and working to confirm if the same suspects were involved in both incidents.
Thieves in Montreal are using Apple's AirTags to track and steal vehicles, prompting warnings from police in Burlington, Vermont. Travelers returning from Canada have found AirTags in their vehicles, and there's concern that the devices are being used for criminal activities such as car theft and drug trafficking. However, there are safety features in place to alert owners if an AirTag is not within proximity, and both iPhone and Android users can detect unknown Bluetooth trackers, including AirTags.
Joseph Russell, a suspect in multiple motor vehicle thefts, was shot and killed by New Hampshire State Police troopers in Rochester after drawing a firearm when a state police K9 brought him to the ground. The Rochester Police Department had been looking for Russell in connection with thefts in both Rochester and Lebanon, Maine, and believed him to be armed and dangerous. After abandoning his vehicle and running into a nearby neighborhood, Russell ignored commands to stop and surrender, leading to the fatal shooting. The incident is under investigation, and the names of the troopers involved will be released following formal interviews.
Joseph Russell, 36, was shot and killed by police in Rochester, New Hampshire, after drawing a firearm when a State Police K-9 brought him to the ground. Russell was sought in connection with multiple motor vehicle thefts and was believed to be armed and dangerous. After abandoning his vehicle and fleeing into a neighborhood, he ignored commands to surrender and was shot by two troopers. The incident is under investigation, and no law enforcement members were injured.
Maryland State Police arrested Flavio Cesar Lanuza, 27, of Laurel, Maryland, following the theft of a Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration vehicle and a pursuit through Prince George’s and Montgomery counties, during which Lanuza allegedly struck more than a dozen vehicles. The pursuit resulted in injuries to a civilian and two law enforcement members, with charges pending against Lanuza including vehicle theft and first-degree assault.