THEFT OF CERTAIN MODELS OF VEHICLES ON THE RISE

EL PASO, Texas – The El Paso County Auto Burglary & Theft Prevention Task Force has seen a dramatic rise in the thefts of Honda vehicles specifically 90’s model Accords and Civics, plus motorcycles and also Jeep Wranglers.

These vehicles have become increasingly popular with certain groups of thieves who use these vehicles mainly for parts. The vehicles are worth 2-3 times the vehicles book value in parts.

” They’re parting out the vehicle, taking the vehicle and breaking it down and selling the parts and what investigators are telling us is that these vehicles are worth two to three times the value of the car after they part it out”, said police spokesman Darrel Petry.

The El Paso Police Department finds that 1 in every 4 vehicles stolen in El Paso has the keys in the ignition. According to The El Paso Police Department, it is illegal to leave your vehicle unattended with the keys in the ignition and it is a Class C violation of the Texas Transportation Code and punishable with a fine of up to $500.00 or confinement in a county jail for not more than 30 days, or both fine and confinement.

The El Paso County Auto Burglary & Theft Prevention Task Force urges motorists to lock their cars, take the keys and use anti theft devices such as alarms, kill switches and locking devices. Also remember to place all valuables out of sight.

For more information on auto theft prevention contact the El Paso County Auto Burglary & Theft Prevention Task Force at 915-298-9600.