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AUTO THEFT INVESTIGATION

NCJ Number
11490
Author(s)
R S CHILIMIDOS
Date Published
1971
Length
237 pages
Annotation
MANUAL FOR POLICE PATROL OFFICERS ON RECOGNIZING, PREVENTING AND HANDLING AUTO THEFTS.
Abstract
ACROSS THE NATION IN 1972, ONE OUT OF EVERY 109 REGISTERED AUTOMOBILES WAS STOLEN. AUTO THEFT INVESTIGATION WAS PREPARED TO FAMILIARIZE THE OFFICER ON PATROL WITH SOME OF THE PROBLEMS CAUSED BY VEHICLE THEFT, ALERT HIM TO INDICATIONS OF TAMPERING, AND ACQUAINT HIM WITH APPLICABLE FEDERAL AND STATE LAWS. STATISTICS, GRAPHS, AND CHARTS ARE PROVIDED TO DEMONSTRATE THE MAGNITUDE OF MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT. INDIVIDUAL CHAPTERS DISCUSS CATEGORIES OF AUTO THIEVES, MODUS OPERANDI, COMPLETION OF STOLEN VEHICLE REPORTS, AND DISSEMINATION OF STOLEN VEHICLE INFORMATION. VEHICLE EMBEZZLEMENT TECHNIQUES, SUCH AS SELLING A RENTED CAR, ARE DESCRIBED. SUCCEEDING MATERIAL COVERS VICTIM, WITNESS, AND SUSPECT IDENTIFICATION, AND INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES. STOLEN VEHICLE RECOGNITION, VEHICLE RECOVERY, AND VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS, INCLUDING METHODS OF AFFIXING THEM AND DETECTING ALTERATIONS OR TAMPERING ARE COVERED. BODY SERIAL NUMBERS, IDENTIFICATION NUMBER PLATES, AND ENGINE NUMBERS ARE DESCRIBED AND ILLUSTRATED. AN EXTENSIVE LISTING OF MANUFACTURER IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS FOR 1955-1971 VEHICLES, INCLUDING MOTORCYCLES, TRUCKS, AND TRAILERS IS PROVIDED. ADDITIONAL FEATURES INCLUDE SAMPLE POLICE RECORD FORMS, DEALER SALES REPORTS, REGISTRATION CERTIFICATES, AND OWNERSHIP DOCUMENTS. (SNI ABSTRACT)