Hochul Urges New Yorkers to Take Action Against Vehicle Theft
Simple precautions can protect vehicles, personal property and household finances during the summer theft season.
New York vehicle theft prevention begins with a few basic habits: lock the doors, close the windows, remove the key fob and keep valuables out of sight. Gov. Kathy Hochul is urging drivers to follow those steps during National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month as state officials report recovering millions of dollars in stolen vehicles during the first half of 2026.
The warning comes at a time when national vehicle theft numbers are falling but remain troubling. More than 650,000 vehicles were stolen across the United States in 2025, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Federal safety officials estimate that a vehicle was stolen about once every 48 seconds.
For families in Utica, Rome and across the Mohawk Valley, losing a vehicle can mean much more than losing property. It can mean missing work, medical appointments, school activities and other essential responsibilities.
New York DMV Recovers $4.3 Million in Stolen Vehicles
Investigators with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles recovered 140 stolen vehicles valued at approximately $4.3 million between January and June 2026, according to the governor’s office.
DMV investigators also recovered eight stolen vehicle parts worth nearly $13,000.
“For most New Yorkers, their car is one of their biggest investments, and losing one to a thief can cause financial loss and hardship,” Hochul said.
The governor said New York has increased enforcement and public education efforts while encouraging vehicle owners to take practical steps to protect themselves.
State officials reported that total vehicle thefts in New York declined by about 15 percent from 2024 to 2025.
That decline is encouraging, but it does not mean the threat has disappeared.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau reported that thefts dropped nationwide in 2025, continuing a decline that began in 2024. However, New York remained among the five states with the largest total number of stolen vehicles.
Why Summer Brings a Greater Vehicle-Theft Risk
Summer is traditionally the busiest season for vehicle theft, according to NHTSA.
Drivers may be more likely to leave windows partly open, keep belongings in their cars while traveling or briefly leave a vehicle running while making a stop. Crowded festivals, shopping centers, parks and vacation destinations can also create opportunities for thieves.
Vehicle theft may involve more than stealing the entire car. Criminals may also target:
- Key fobs
- License plates
- Catalytic converters
- Air bags
- GPS devices
- Laptop computers
- Cellphones
- Purses and wallets
- Engines, transmissions and other valuable parts
NHTSA has warned that thieves may strip and resell expensive vehicle components even when they do not take the entire automobile.
Four Simple Ways to Protect Your Vehicle
New York officials recommend four basic precautions whenever a vehicle is parked.
1. Lock Every Door and Close Every Window
Drivers should lock their vehicles even when they expect to be away for only a few minutes.
A partly open window can make it easier for someone to unlock a door or remove property. Drivers should also check rear doors and windows before walking away.
2. Never Leave the Key Fob Inside
Modern push-button vehicles may remain vulnerable when a key fob is left in a cupholder, glove compartment, bag or jacket.
Drivers should take the key fob with them and store spare keys in a secure place away from the vehicle.
3. Park in a Well-Lit, Visible Area
Whenever possible, park near lighting, security cameras or areas with regular pedestrian activity.
At home, drivers should consider using a locked garage or motion-activated exterior lighting. A visible steering-wheel lock may provide an additional deterrent.
4. Remove Valuables or Hide Them Before Arriving
Do not leave bags, electronics, cash, packages or important documents visible inside a parked vehicle.
Items should be placed in the trunk before reaching the destination. Moving them after parking may allow someone nearby to see where they were stored.
These recommendations are part of the state’s broader vehicle-theft prevention campaign.
Used-Car Buyers Should Check the VIN
Vehicle theft prevention also matters when buying a used car.
A low price, rushed seller or incomplete paperwork can signal a stolen vehicle, title fraud or undisclosed flood damage.
Before purchasing a used vehicle, buyers should arrange an independent inspection and confirm that the vehicle identification number, known as the VIN, is consistent in every location.
The VIN may appear:
- On the dashboard near the windshield
- On the driver-side door frame
- On registration and title documents
- On insurance documents
- On selected vehicle components
A scratched, altered or mismatched VIN should be treated as a warning sign.
Use an Approved Vehicle-History Service
The federal National Motor Vehicle Title Information System provides information about vehicle titles, odometer readings and certain damage records. The system was created to help prevent stolen or unsafe vehicles from being sold to consumers.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau also offers a free VINCheck service. The tool can indicate whether a participating insurance company has reported a vehicle as stolen and not recovered or as a salvage vehicle.
New York officials advise consumers to be cautious when:
- The seller refuses an independent inspection.
- The VIN does not match the title.
- The vehicle has an out-of-state title but New York plates or inspection stickers.
- The asking price is far below the usual market value.
- The seller demands payment before an in-person inspection.
- Temporary plates or ownership papers appear altered.
- The seller claims the title will be mailed later.
Online private sales deserve added scrutiny because buyers may have fewer protections than they would receive from a licensed dealer.
Flood-Damaged Vehicles Can Be Resold Far From Storm Areas
State officials are also warning used-car shoppers about vehicles damaged by flooding.
Floodwater can corrode electrical wiring, damage air bags, harm computers and cause engine or transmission problems that may not be immediately visible.
Some damaged vehicles may be moved to another state, issued a new title and then offered for sale far from the original disaster area.
A clean-looking vehicle is not necessarily a safe vehicle. Buyers should review the title history, inspect for musty odors or water stains and have the vehicle examined by a qualified mechanic before completing the purchase.
What to Do When a Vehicle Is Stolen
Drivers should act quickly when a vehicle or license plate is missing.
Take These Steps Immediately
- Call the police. Provide the license plate number, VIN, make, model, color and any identifying features.
- Contact the insurance company. Prompt reporting can begin the claims process and help protect the policyholder.
- Report stolen plates. Ask police to complete New York’s Report of Lost or Stolen Motor Vehicle Items form, known as MV-78B.
- Notify the DMV when required. The MV-78B form may be needed when plates have been stolen.
- Preserve evidence. Save security-camera footage, photographs, parking receipts, tracking information and witness contact details.
When police enter the theft into state and national databases, the record can help officers recover the vehicle and prevent someone from obtaining a new title or selling it.
Drivers should not attempt to confront a suspected thief or recover the vehicle themselves. Any location information from a tracking device should be given to law enforcement.
Enforcement Is Important, but Prevention Still Matters
In 2023, New York launched its Comprehensive Auto-Theft Reduction Strategy, also known as CARS.
The initiative included increased State Police patrols in areas with higher theft levels and a public website offering prevention information.
State Police Superintendent Steven G. James described vehicle theft as a crime that often crosses local and regional boundaries.
“Motor vehicle theft is a multi-jurisdictional crime that requires a collaborative effort to avert car thefts,” James said.
Law-enforcement operations and technology can help recover vehicles and arrest offenders. Still, state officials stress that drivers remain the first line of defense.
Locking a door will not stop every determined criminal. A steering-wheel lock or security camera cannot guarantee that a vehicle will remain safe. However, several visible barriers may cause a thief to move on to an easier target.
The Bottom Line for Mohawk Valley Drivers
Vehicle theft can disrupt an entire household. It can threaten employment, strain family finances and leave victims facing insurance deductibles, rental expenses and repair costs.
The good news is that many prevention steps are free and take only seconds.
Before leaving a vehicle, drivers should remember:
- Close the windows.
- Lock every door.
- Take the key fob.
- Remove visible valuables.
- Park in a safe, well-lit location.
- Keep the VIN and insurance information stored securely at home.
- Review used-car histories before purchasing.
National theft rates have improved, but hundreds of thousands of vehicles are still stolen every year. Prevention requires cooperation among drivers, law enforcement, insurance companies, vehicle manufacturers and online sales platforms.
This July, New Yorkers can use Vehicle Theft Prevention Month as a reminder to review their daily habits, secure their vehicles and share these safety tips with family members—especially new and younger drivers.
A locked door, an empty seat and a careful VIN check may prevent a costly and stressful crime.
