CALIFORNIA – In recognition of National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) on July 23 urged drivers to take simple steps to protect their vehicles.
According to CHP, California saw a drop in vehicle thefts in 2024, the first year-over-year decrease since 2019.
In 2024, 176,230 vehicles were stolen in California – down over 13% from 2023.
CHP lists the 2015 Kia Optima, 2013 Hyundai Elantra, and 2013 Hyundai Sonata as 2024’s most stolen cars. The most stolen trucks were the 2001, 2002, and 2006 Chevy Silverados.
Approximately 53.21% of all vehicle thefts occurred in Southern California (Los Angeles, San Diego, San Bernardino, Riverside, and Orange Counties).
Of those thefts in Southern California, 61.83% occurred in Los Angeles County.
Nearly 85% of stolen vehicles were successfully recovered statewide.
Vehicle theft crackdowns in San Bernardino, Oakland, and Bakersfield
Backed by Governor Gavin Newsom, CHP expanded vehicle theft crackdowns in San Bernardino, Oakland, and Bakersfield. These regional operations have delivered positive results in San Bernardino, Alameda, and Kern counties.
CHP and local agencies have disrupted auto thieves, repeat offenders, and organized crime groups.
As a result of these public safety collaborations, each of these counties saw a significant drop in vehicle thefts in 2024:
- San Bernardino County: down 11% from 2023 (10,116 thefts)
- Alameda County: down 18% from 2023 (19,212 thefts)
- Kern County: down 28% from 2023 (6,210 thefts)
Keeping vehicles safe
CHP says vehicles are vital for daily life, work, school and family. A stolen vehicle affects more than property – it robs people of freedom and security.
They encourage drivers to follow these safety tips to help protect cars:
- Hide or remove valuables from the car
- Lock doors and roll up all windows
- Park in well-lit, visible areas
- Use anti-theft tools like steering wheel locks or alarms
- Install a GPS tracker or recovery system
- Always turn off the car and take the keys. Never leave it running unattended.
CHP says using more than one safety step is best. Each layer adds more protection against theft.
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