As Grand Auto Theft Spikes, NY DMV Recovers More Stolen Cars and Car Parts

By Yehudit Garmaise

While NYC is seeing downward trends in crimes, such as murder and shootings, Mayor Eric Adams has pointed out that Grand Theft Auto is a category of crime that has been spiking.

The number of cars that were stolen in NYC in January’s last week was 278, which was up from 2021, when 236 New Yorkers’ cars were stolen in the last week of January.

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), however, is helping New Yorkers to fight back by helping them to recover 231 stolen vehicles that are valued at more than $7.3 million in 2022, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced yesterday.

By comparison, in 2021, New York’s DMV recovered 194 vehicles for a total value of $5.2 million.

The DMV also recovered 81 stolen vehicle parts that were worth $67,223. Last year, the DMV only recovered 77 stolen car parts. 

“My administration is committed to tracking down and recovering stolen vehicles and bringing justice to the innocent New Yorkers who are victimized by these crimes,” Gov. Hochul said. 

As car thefts continue to increase, drivers should remember to lock their vehicles when they park. Drivers must remember to take their keys or key fobs with them, the DMV advised.

For additional security, car owners can use visible or audible devices, such as alarms, brake or steering wheel locks, like clubs.

To further prevent car thefts, drivers also can install vehicle immobilizers such as fuse cut-offs and ignition and fuel disablers.

“In addition to being vigilant once you own a vehicle, we always advise consumers to be wise when purchasing a salvage vehicle or one that may have been stolen or subjected to flooding," NY DMV Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder said. 

Consumers should also be careful when purchasing vehicles when deals seem, “too good to be true,” Schroeder said.

“Customers should be wary when sellers insist on cash-only, and buyers should check to be sure the vehicle descriptions on the titles match the vehicles they are purchasing. 

“For example, the plates and inspection stickers should match the jurisdictions listed on the titles.”