All Cars, All the Time

I Steal Because I Can: Drugs Drive Car Thefts

That's basically what one speed addict told police after would break into multiple cars on a given night, “'Cause I can. I don’t sleep. It’s something to do.” This MSNBC story covers the hotspots for car theft in the US. California takes top honors with Modesto-Stanislaus County coming in at number one as ranked by the National Insurance Crime Bureau. Modesto was followed by Las Vegas-Paradise, Nev.; Stockton, Calif.; Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, Ariz.; and Visalia-Porterville, Calif. Police departments have had some success with bait cars: vehicles monitored by the police that are used to tempt a car thief into stealing it.

It's not really a surprise to learn that drugs are the motivating factor behind a lot of car thefts. Drug users will do anything to get money to buy more drugs. It's a real bummer when your car gets broken into, not to mention stolen. The last time they broke into my car they not only took all my stuff, but they left the door open and drained the battery. I had everything hidden too, it's not like it was lying on the seat. Fortunately they didn't mess up the lock so I had no damage to repair. Relatives in England seem to have it worse: they are constantly getting their cars ripped off. I hope it doesn't happen to you!