Car Theft on the Rise - Chevrolet Suburban Stolen Out of Monroe Driveway

Having your car stolen can definitely ruin your day. Such was the case on Jan. 5 this year when a Monroe resident went out to use his 2002 Chevrolet suburban only to find that it wasn’t there. The victim told deputies from Walton County Sheriff’s Office that he had parked the car in the driveway the night before when he returned from a basketball game and by the next morning it was gone. He reported that it had been locked – he still had his keys in his pocket. The car was entered in the Georgia Crime Information Center system as stolen.

But this isn't the first time this has happened of late. Several cars have been stolen from homes in the local area as reported in Patch last summer and in October. Car Connection gives the following advice to people to help avoid becoming a victim. It suggests the “layered” approach.

• Common sense - park in a well-lit area, close your windows, lock your doors and don’t forget to take your keys.
• A warning device - such as an audible alarm, steering or brake lock or any other anti theft deterrent device
• An immobilizing device immobilizes the vehicle when the thief tries to bypass the ignition and hotwire the car – such as kill switches, fuel pump disabler etc, but these need to be professionally installed.
• A tracking device - helps to facilitate recovery through GPS should the vehicle be stolen.

None are a guarantee, but should at least help make your vehicle the least likely victim. The following cars were reported as the most stolen in 2011.

1.            994 Honda Accord

2.            1998 Honda Civic

3.            2006 Ford Pickup (Full Size)

4.            1991 Toyota Camry

5.            2000 Dodge Caravan

6.            1994 Acura Integra

7.            1999 Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)

8.            2004 Dodge Pickup (Full Size)

9.            2002 Ford Explorer

10.        1994 Nissan Sentra