Spike in Vehicle Theft in Humboldt County

Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department:

Escalade stolen

Eureka Police search a stolen vehicle in August of last year. [Photo provided by the EPD]

There has been a spike in vehicle theft in Humboldt County.  For 2015 there were 494 stolen vehicles.  In 2016 there were 688.

The Honda Accord continues to rank as the number one vehicle stolen out of Humboldt County, and the Honda Civic and Toyota Camry (and other older Toyota trucks) are ranked at number two and three respectively.  Since 1984, Toyota ranked as the most frequently stolen pick-up truck in the United States.  With high resale value, there is an abundance of Hondas and Toyotas on the road and consumer demand is high.  Additionally, their parts are interchangeable with similar models from year to year.

A significant number of vehicles stolen out of Humboldt County are taken with their very own ignition key.  This is often the result of unsuspecting victims leaving their vehicles running while unattended or leaving a spare key with the vehicle.  Pre-1999 Honda and Toyotas passenger cars, along with Toyota trucks, are being stolen with a similar worn key (or pocket knife or screw driver) due to their worn ignition switches.  A small percentage of vehicles stolen are due to the steering column being broken to the point where the ignition can be started.  Approximately 80% of vehicles stolen out of Humboldt County are recovered, however they are usually stripped of anything valuable.  BEWARE Garage door openers are also stolen at the same time.

The CHP offers the following tips to help combat auto theft in Humboldt County.  If you own a pre-1999 Honda or Toyota or find your ignition switches worn and loose on any vehicle, consider replacing the old ignition switch.  Always remove all property of perceived value from the interior of your vehicle that can be seen from the outside – this includes change in the console.  Remove hidden keys from your vehicle.  Consider adding a motion light in the area where the vehicle is parked at your residence or work place if you work after dark.

Another trend of auto theft is through residential burglaries.  Most of us walk in to our home and hang the key on a rack exposed to those who want to take our vehicles.  Change the location where you store your keys and keep them out of sight. Always lock your vehicle doors, even in your driveway, and take your keys with you.  The more cautious we become, the less likely we are to become victims.

CHP                                                                                  291

Eureka                                                                               272

Arcata                                                                                83

Fortuna                                                                              31

Rio Dell                                                                            11

Total                                                                                 688

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5 Comments
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Liz
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Liz
7 years ago

What I see missing is So. Humboldt. I understand it common to have your car gone through in your own driveway.

Tweakers suck!
Guest
Tweakers suck!
7 years ago
Reply to  Liz

Happened to me a week ago. The number of car burglaries in sohum is ridiculous.

Denouement
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Denouement
7 years ago

Property crime in SoHum is likely to be met with gunfire, and the bodies resulting may just disappear…

thinking allowed
Guest
thinking allowed
7 years ago

Is there any catagory of crime that has not gone up with Jerry Brown’s catch and release policy?

Shak
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Shak
7 years ago

Crime is up all across the nation. Be careful out there!