Mesa Police Department Auto Theft
Auto Theft Home
The following brochures are offered by the Mesa Police
Department to help prevention auto theft.
Layer Your Protection
Professional thieves can steal any car, but make them work for
yours. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) recommends "layered
protection." The more protection on your vehicle, the more difficult it is
to steal.
The number of layers your vehicle needs varies depending on your
vehicle and your location. Your budget and preferences should determine which
anti-theft devices are for you.
Layer #1 -- Common Sense
An unlocked vehicle with a key in the ignition is an open
invitation to any thief no matter which anti-theft device you use. The common
sense approach to protection is the most cost-effective way to thwart would-be
thieves.
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Lock your car -- half of all vehicles stolen are left
unlocked.
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Take your keys -- nearly 20% of all vehicles stolen have the
keys in their ignition.
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Park in well-lighted areas -- car thefts occur a night more than
half the time.
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Park in attended lots -- car thieves do not like witnesses.
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Do not leave your vehicle running and unattended.
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Completely close your car windows.
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Do not leave valuables in plain view.
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Do not hide spare sets of keys in the car -- the pros know
where to look.
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Park with your wheels turned toward the curb.
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Always use your emergency brake when parking.
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If you have a garage, use it -- when you do, lock both the
vehicle and the garage door.
Layer #2 -- Warning Device
The second layer of protection is a visible or audible device
which alerts thieves that a vehicle is protected. Popular second layer devices
include:
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Audible alarms
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Steering wheel locks
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Brake locks
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Tire locks
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Watch Your Car decals
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Identification markers in or on vehicle
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Protective Window Laminate
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Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) etching on vehicle
windows. (have your windows etched for FREE)
Layer #3 -- Immobilizing Device
This third layer of protection is a device which prevents
thieves from bypassing your ignition and hot-wiring the vehicle.
Some electronic devices have computer chips in ignition keys.
Other devices inhibit the flow of electricity or fuel to the engine until a
hidden switch or button is activated.
Popular third layer devices include:
Layer #4 -- Tracking Device
The final layer of protection is a tracking device which emits a
signal to a police or monitoring station when the vehicle is reported stolen.
Tracking devices are very effective in helping authorities recover stolen
vehicles.
Passive and Active Anti-Theft Systems
Passive and active anti-theft devices are the two options
available when considering a theft system. Passive devices automatically arm
themselves when the vehicle ignition key is removed, or a door is shut. No
additional action is required. Active devices require some independent physical
action before they are set, such as pushing a button, or placing a
"lock" over a vehicle component part. This physical action must be
repeated every time the anti-theft device is set or it will not function.
Don't Purchase a Stolen Vehicle
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Use common sense. If it looks too good to be true, it
probably is.
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Don't meet the seller in an unsafe location. Meet at
a permanent location of the seller and avoid situations where you can only
meet the seller by pager.
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Let the seller know you will not be bringing cash,
but will be paying by personal or cashier's check if you decide to purchase
the vehicle.
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Ask the seller for a valid picture I.D. and compare
the information to the vehicle registration and title.
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Be wary of pre-signed ownership documents or
sellers who are not both the registered and legal owners. The documents may
be forged, or a lender may have a lien that prevents transfer of title.
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If the ownership documents are recently issued or
duplicate, the vehicle may have changed hands recently or the title lost.
Inquire why.
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Check the ownership documents for an indication that
the vehicle is a salvage and be very cautions if it is. Many salvage
vehicles are rebuilt with stolen parts or are unsafe. Also be alert to these
issues if any vehicle appears to have been extensively damaged or rebuilt.
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Be sure all numbers match. Look at the numbers on
both the Vehicle Identification Number plate and the license plate. They
should be the same on both the registration and title.
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Before you pay, be sure documentation is adequate to
obtain registration and legal title. Check with the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD)
first if there is any doubt.
Be Careful! Cashier's Checks and Money Orders
are NOT Always What They Appear to Be!
Local law enforcement agencies have had numerous cases where
counterfeit cashiers checks and money orders are being used to commit forgeries
and/or frauds when purchasing a vehicle. Here is a scenario that will
hopefully prevent you from becoming the next victim.
SCENARIO:
The victim (YOU), advertises his car for sale in the local media. The victim is
contacted by a suspect over the phone who offers to buy the car for full price
and asks the victim for the spelling of his name. The suspect then shows up in
an expensive car with other suspects and buys the car with a counterfeit
cashiers check or money order. The sale usually occurs after the banks
are closed -- especially on weekends.
After three days, when the suspects are long gone, the bank
notifies the victim (YOU) that the cashiers check or money order is a fake and
the victim is out the money AND the car. The suspect usually sells the car to an
innocent third party the same day of the theft.
Sellers would be well advised NOT to accept payment unless they
are at a bank and the funds can be verified!
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