car theft
Grand theft auto
Car theft is the crime of stealing someone's vehicle.
The term covers both opportunistic theft—taking an unlocked car with keys inside—and professional operations that strip vehicles for parts or export them.
Distinguished from carjacking, which involves taking a vehicle by force or threat while the owner is present.
Car theft rates have dropped since immobilizers became standard.
- joy rideReckless drive for thrills
- alarm systemsDevices detecting unauthorized entry
- GPS trackingSatellite-based position detection
- stolen vehicleUnlawfully taken automobile
- immobilizersDevices preventing movement
forensic evidence · police reports · surveillance footage · hotwire · chop shop · felony charges · insurance claims · burglary · restitution · bypass · court proceedings · robbery · ignition · broken window · smash and grab · criminal investigation · vandalism · felony
- auto crimesstolen vehicle, joyriding, chop shop, hotwiring, smash and grab
- crimesarson, burglary, robbery, kidnapping, vandalism
- theftstealing, steal, burglary, robbery, shoplifting
- juvenile crimetruancy, vandalism, shoplifting, joyriding, underage drinking
- Property Crimesburglary, robbery, vandalism, arson, shoplifting
- traffic violationsDUI, DWI, speeding, drunk driving, red light running
car, thief, theft, thieves, larceny, carjacking, auto theft, grand larceny, vehicle theft