Commerce Department: 23 Cars Stolen Every Day in Minnesota

On average, 23 cars are stolen — or almost one car per hour — every day in Minnesota, state officials say.

Nearly 8,400 vehicles were stolen in Minnesota in 2010 alone, totaling more than $21.3 million in stolen value, the Minnesota Department of Commerce reports.

Still, a partnership between the commerce department and local law enforcement agencies has contributed to a significant decline in incidents of auto theft over the past seven years.

Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman has announced the continuation of Minnesota’s successful Auto Theft Prevention Grant Program, awarding 21 local county attorneys, and community organizations with more than $3.8 million to be used exclusively for local programs that aid in:

• Identification of critical law enforcement issues
• Auto theft education for law enforcement officers and citizens
• Investigation and prosecution of auto theft suspects
• Collaboration between law enforcement agencies
• Prevention of auto thefts which result in lower auto insurance premiums

Local law enforcement agencies receiving Auto Theft Prevention Grants this year include:

Programs supported by Minnesota’s Auto Theft Prevention Grant Program include: jail interviews of known suspects and associates that yield a high rate of recovery and charges; mobile and stationary license plate readers that allow law enforcement to fight auto theft without hiring additional officers; and more.

According to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension’s (BCA) Uniform Crime Report, auto theft in Minnesota has declined by more than 37 percent since 2004. That year, more than 13,410 vehicles were stolen totaling nearly $52.6 million stolen value. In 2010, 8,398 vehicles were stolen totaling $21.3 million in stolen value.

Despite the overall decrease, urban areas are still experiencing high rates of auto thefts. According to the BCA, roughly 86 percent of all auto thefts in Minnesota last year took place in urban communities. North Minneapolis neighborhoods have seen a 44 percent increase in auto thefts in the first two months of 2012.

Rothman warns that although auto theft appears to be declining in Minnesota, consumers should remain alert to the threat of auto theft.

According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, the top ten stolen vehicles in Minnesota in 2010 were:

Source: Minnesota Department of Commerce