vehicle theft
Taking someone's car
Vehicle theft is the crime of stealing a car, truck, motorcycle, or other motor vehicle.
The term covers both opportunistic theft—taking an unlocked car left running—and organized operations that strip vehicles for parts or ship them overseas.
Vehicle theft rates have dropped since immobilizers became standard.
Grand theft auto is the formal legal term in many jurisdictions.
- carjackingViolent vehicle theft
- joyridingReckless driving for pleasure
- joy rideReckless drive for thrills
- chop shopCriminal vehicle dismantling operation
- VIN numberVehicle identification number number
felony · larceny · bait car · hotwire · alarm · insurance claims · insurance fraud · robbery · getaway car · police chase · burglary · catalytic converter · alarm system · lock · street crime · misdemeanor · surveillance cameras · prowler
- auto crimescarjacking, stolen car, joyriding, chop shop, hotwiring
- traffic violationsDUI, DWI, speeding, drunk driving, red light running
- crime databasesAFIS, criminal records, DNA database, FBI database, criminal history
- hijackingskyjacking, plane hijacking, carjacking, bus hijacking, ship hijacking
vehicle theftvehicle loan
Credit for transportation purchase
car rental · vehicle lease · vehicle leasing · car sharing · fleet management