Yes that's right, even though these horrible economic times have served as a catalyst for fraud and malfeasance of monstrous proportions, it seems vehicle thieves have decided to take a vacation from their trade.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau's (NCIB) Hot Spots study said 2008 will show a shocking 12.6% decline in vehicle thefts when final numbers are released in the fall.

TOP TEN U.S. METROPOLITAN AREAS WITH
HIGHEST MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT RATES, 2008

Rank	Metropolitan Statistical Area	Vehicles stolen
1	Modesto, CA	4,235
2	Laredo, TX	1,960
3	Yakima, WA	1,828
4	San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, CA	22,554
5	Bakersfield, CA	5,918
6	Stockton, CA	4,963
7	Las Vegas-Paradise, NV	13,662
8	Albuquerque, NM	6,182
9	San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	30,735
10	Fresno, CA	6,533
Source: National Insurance Crime Bureau.

As we've seen in the past, California cities remain the most popular for vehicle theft. In the NICB's top ten hot spot list, Modesto, San Diego, Bakersfield, Stockton, San Francisco and Fresno are included.

Though vehicle thefts overall have decreased, one area in particluar has seen a drastic increase in the crime. Areas that border Mexico, such as El Paso, Laredo and San Antonio, Texas saw an increase in 2008.

Emily Holbrook
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