California Leads Nation in Car Thefts With Keys Inside
Anti-theft technology has made it increasingly difficult for thieves to steal cars these days, but crooks are getting an assist from unwitting owners who leave their keys in their vehicles.
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A National Insurance Crime Bureau analysis found that 126,603 vehicles were reported stolen with the keys still in them from 2012-2014.
While NICB reports that overall car thefts are declining, the number of vehicles stolen with the keys inside is increasing. In 2012, 39,345 cars stolen had their keys in them; in 2013, that number rose to 42,430 and then to 44,828 in 2014.
“Stealing a vehicle is very difficult with today’s anti-theft technology and leaving the keys in the vehicle is an open invitation for the opportunistic car thief,” said NICB President and CEO Joe Wehrle in a press release.
Victims of these types of car thefts mostly can’t blame them on a case of the Mondays: According to NICB’s data, Saturdays had the most thefts with keys at 19,147, with Fridays coming in second at 18,719 and finally Mondays with 18,647.
The NICB reports that the top five states where the most vehicle thefts with keys occurred are:
- California: 19,597
- Texas: 8,796
- Florida: 7,868
- Michigan: 7,726
- Ohio: 7,452
“Am I shocked by these numbers? Not one bit,” Wehrle said in a statement. “In fact, I’m sure the numbers are probably higher, because we are only able to determine the thefts where the car was recovered with the keys inside, or where someone admitted they left the keys in the car or the ignition. Many times that is not admitted in the police report or the insurance claim.” [JN2]
While it’s a hassle to turn off the car when running inside the house for that forgotten item or into a store for a cup of coffee, it’s nowhere near the aggravation and likely embarrassment you’ll feel when explaining to the police just how your car was stolen. Remember to take your keys every time you leave your car.
