Vehicle thefts in the US hit 1 million in 2022

Car thieves are having a heyday in the U.S. and experts say not enough is being done about it.

Vehicle thefts nationwide surpassed 1 million in 2022 for the first time in almost 15 years, as several communities continue to be plagued by record and near-record levels of auto crime according to a report from the National Insurance Crime Bureau NICB on Wednesday.

In its analysis, the NICB found that vehicle theft rose by 7% last year to 1,001, 967, the highest level since 2008 when 1.05 million were reported stolen.

California led the nation in car thefts last year, with 202,658 followed by Texas, where criminals swiped a little over 100,000. The state that experienced the highest spike from 2021 was Illinois, which saw a 35% increase, followed by Washington 31% and New York 23%, according to the study.

The NICB president and CEO David J. Glawe said that there is very little deterrent to stop criminals fromcommitting these acts as they are just property crimes, like shoplifting.

A TikTok challenge that circulated on social media last year revealed the vulnerabilities of some Kia and Hyundai models, which has helped criminals out. A handful of cities overburdened by the wave of auto crime have threatened to sue the automakers for negligence, because impacted cars made by the South Korean sister companies surged by as much as 300% in some communities.

Glawe told FOX Business that organized gangs and juveniles steal vehicles and use them to facilitate other crimes, and that the solution is committing more funding for local law enforcement and other measures.

To stop this lawless behavior, we need to invest in our partners, support community engagement and policing programs, and implement successful early intervention programs for at risk youth, according to Glawe.

The NICB offers advice for auto owners to prevent their vehicles from being stolen, such as keeping windows rolled up, locking the doors, and not leaving keys or a fob in the vehicle. Parking in well-lit areas and those that are watched by security are also suggested by the organization.

If a car is stolen, the NICB recommends that owners report it immediately to both the insurance company and the law enforcement, because it increases the odds that the vehicle will be recovered.

Glawe said that NICB, along with our partners in law enforcement, are working to prevent and deter vehicle theft, but vehicle owners should stay vigilant.