Arizona is ranked third among all states in car theft per capita.  In 2002, the Phoenix metropolitan area was number one in the country for auto thefts.  In 2005, the greater Phoenix area had the fourth highest rate of vehicles thefts on a per capita basis. 

Maricopa County accounted for 74% of all the state’s car thefts in 2005, when 54,905 cars were reported stolen.

• In Arizona, 65.6% of stolen vehicles were recovered in 2005. Stolen vehicles that were not recovered were often shipped overseas or driven across the United States borders, stripped by chop shops and resold as parts, re-tagged and resold to unsuspecting consumers, or hidden or destroyed by the owner to collect an insurance settlement. (Arizona Automobile Theft Authority)

• Nationwide in 2005, there were an estimated 1.2 million motor vehicle thefts; 416.7 motor vehicles stolen for every 100,000 inhabitants. (FBI UCR) In Arizona, it’s 924.4 for every 100,000 inhabitants. (Arizona Automobile Theft Authority)

• In the U.S., there is one motor vehicle theft every 25.5 seconds. (FBI UCR)  In Arizona, it’s one every 9.54 seconds. (Arizona Automobile Theft Authority)

• Property losses due to motor vehicle thefts in 2005 were estimated at $7.6 billion, averaging $6,173 per stolen vehicle. (FBI UCR)