NICB West Region Task Forces - Vehicle Recovery Work

On average, over 2,100 vehicles are stolen every day in the United States. But not all of them remain stolen, nearly 60% of vehicles are recovered. Not by the owners, but often by Auto Theft Task Forces. These groups are made up of local, county, and state law enforcement, along with agents from the National Insurance Crime Bureau. They work together to recover stolen vehicles, make auto theft related arrests, serve search warrants, launch investigations, conduct vehicle inspections, and assist other law enforcement agencies.

During the month of July, nine separate Vehicle Task Forces across the western United States recovered a total of 350 stolen vehicles. The value of those recovered rides totals $2,749,558.

In August, those same Vehicle Task Forces recovered 407 stolen vehicles, valued at $3,228,992.

In addition to getting the stolen vehicles back to their rightful owners, many of the recoveries lead to tips or arrests regarding other crimes. One patrol unit stopped a stolen rental car, then learned the individuals inside the car possessed stolen or counterfeit drivers licenses, matching credit cards, and 13 pounds of marijuana. Another team, working a stolen vehicles parts investigation, in turn recovered several cloned vehicles, found various firearms, and nearly 300 pounds of methamphetamine.