Vehicle Thefts Surging: DC Ranks In Top 3 For Most Vehicle Thefts

WASHINGTON, DC — Vehicle thefts are surging nationwide, with Washington, D.C., streets and parking lots among the hottest hot spots, followed by Maryland.

A new report released by the National Insurance Crime Bureau shows vehicle thefts in the state have increased 64 percent from 2022 to 2023, breaking the previous record set the year before. The grim stat puts DC at the top nationwide, followed by Maryland and Connecticut.

The car theft crime rate in DC far exceeds the average across the country, according to NICB. Nationwide, vehicle thefts more than one million vehicles were reported stolen, and overall vehicle thefts increased about 1 percent, from 1,008,756 in 2022 to 1,020,729 in 2023.

The District had 1,149 car thefts for every 100,000 people, which is over three times the national theft rate.

The insurance analysts have tracked vehicle theft rates rising steadily since 2019. California accounted for the highest number of vehicle thefts nationwide in 2023 with 208,668 vehicles reported stolen.

The DC metro area ranked No. 9 in the country for car thefts with 24,119 reported in 2023, a 52% increase from 2022.

NICB offers these tips to help prevent vehicle thefts:

• Park in well-lit areas.
• Close and lock all windows and doors when you park.
• Hide valuables out of sight, such as in the glove box or trunk.
• Do not leave your keys in your vehicle.
• Do not leave the area while your vehicle is running.
• If your vehicle is stolen, call law enforcement and your insurer immediately because reporting a stolen vehicle as soon as possible increases the chance of recovery.

A growing number of thefts cannot be chalked up to careless owners leaving their keys in the ignition, or brute force break-ins, according to NICB.

"Criminals are employing increasingly sophisticated methods to steal vehicles, including the use of advanced technology to bypass security systems," said David J. Glawe, President and CEO of NICB. "From keyless entry hacks to relay attacks on key fobs, perpetrators are exploiting vulnerabilities in modern vehicle security measures with alarming success rates."

Read the full report from NICB by clicking here.