The California Highway Patrol revealed which vehicles are most susceptible to being stolen, as the agency touts a significant decrease in auto theft in the Golden State compared to last year to the previous one.
According to CHP, automotive theft decreased by 13.14% in 2024, compared to 2023. On average, a vehicle was stolen every 2.94 minutes in California, the agency said. About half of those thefts occurred in Southern California, with Los Angeles County ranking as the top county for most auto thefts last year.
The agency warned that the following vehicles were most targeted in thefts in 2024.
Automobiles
- Kia Optima 2015
- Hyundai Elantra 2013
- Hyundai Sonata 2013
Personal trucks/Sport utility vehicles
- Chevrolet Silverado 2001
- Chevrolet Silverado 2002
- Chevrolet Silverado 2006
Motorcycles
- Miscellaneous Import 2024
- Honda 2022
- Honda 2023
Commercial trucks
- Freightliner 2016
- Freightliner 2019
- Freightliner 2015
CHP Officer Ramon Duran said drivers should do all they can to prevent being victims of auto theft.
“It begins with the community,” he said. “Ensuring you leave your vehicle in a well-lit area, don’t leave things visible of value that could tempt somebody.”
In 2024, 176,230 vehicles were stolen in California while that figure was at 202,893 in 2023. It’s a celebrated decrease that hasn’t been seen since 2019.
“One thing helping us out is the license plate reader,” Duran said. “The LPR allows us to have eyes on the ground and law enforcement can patrol and have the information pop up in real time on their screen to let them know a vehicle is stolen.”
To see CHP’s full report, click here.