AUTO
THEFT BUREAU
The
Auto Theft bureau is a subdivision of the Investigations Division and is comprised
of three detectives. These detectives are responsible for investigating the thefts
of all motor vehicles to include, but not limited to automobiles, light duty trucks,
heavy duty trucks, tractors, all types of trailers, motorcycles, vessels, all
motorized farm equipment, and all earth moving equipment.
Many times a
vehicle is located without license plates or vehicle identification numbers. It
is the responsibility of the investigating detective to identify these vehicles
through secondary identification numbers, engine numbers, or transmission numbers.
Once these numbers are located, the detective must confirm the stolen status and
notify the appropriate reporting agency of the recovery. The detectives are also
responsible for identifying vehicle theft trends. These trends could include specialized
vehicles being taken, times or days of thefts, or specific years/models of vehicles
targeted. Once these trends have been identified, it is the detectives’ responsibility
to see to it they are eradicated.
Salvage Title Checks are also performed by the Auto Theft Investigators at the SBPD Station (701 W Sample) weekly by appointment only. Please call 574.235.9212 for more information/scheduling.
Note- For a Salvage Title Inspection, these are done on designated days, and by appointment only at the Police Department. Call 574-235-9212 for information on this prior to arrival with your vehicle. No off site inspections for Salvage Titles will be performed.
TIPS ON AVOIDING BECOMING AN AUTO THEFT VICTIM
What can you do to help prevent your
vehicle from being stolen?:
· Never leave your car running and unattended,
even to warm it up in the morning or to dash into a business.
· Never leave
your keys in the car or ignition, even inside a locked garage.
· Always roll
up your windows and lock the car, even if it is in front of your own home.
·
Never leave valuables in plain view, even if your car is locked. Put them in the
trunk, out of sight.
· Install an alarm or an auto theft deterrent such as
a club, collar or J-bar.
·
Always park in a high traffic, well lighted area, if possible.
· Electronic
switches or devices to prevent your car from being started are available. These
devices prevent an unauthorized person from starting your car unless the device
is deactivated.
What
to do if your car is stolen:
· Call the police immediately. Most often
the initial report can be taken over the phone. The quicker the police get the
information, the sooner law enforcement agencies can attempt to locate your vehicle
before it is damaged or stripped.
· Copy your license plate and Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN) on a card and keep them with you with your driver license. If your
vehicle is stolen you will need this information as quickly as possible.
·
If you locate your vehicle after reporting it stolen, be aware that the thief
may still be nearby. Don’t touch or move the vehicle or you may destroy valuable
evidence i.e., fingerprints. Also remember, until the police respond to recover
your car it is still considered stolen. If you were to drive away in it prior
to notifying the police you risk being stopped at gunpoint.
Other Safety
Tips
· When you go to the car wash or take your car in for repairs, just
leave the ignition key with the attendant.
· Carry your driver license, registration and insurance card with you. Do not leave
personal identification documents or credit cards in your vehicle.
· Don’t
keep the original title (pink slip) in your vehicle, keep it at home. This will
prevent a thief from using the title to “prove” they own the car or fraudulently
transferring title to an innocent purchaser.
· Protect yourself when buying
a used car. Verify the sellers name and address, and be sure that the VIN on the
registration card is the same as the VIN on the vehicle itself.
