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TOP JOBS

ARLINGTON -- Pickups are not only popular among Texas drivers, they are also top targets for Texas vehicle thieves.

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has released its final report on the top vehicles reported stolen in Texas during 2007.

Coming in at No. 1 was the Ford Pickup, followed closely by the Chevrolet Pickup at No. 2. In the No. 3 position, the Dodge Pickup also remains a popular target for Texas thieves. The Honda Accord and the Honda Civic round out the top five stolen vehicles.

If motorcycle theft totals were included, the Honda and Yamaha motorcycles would rank No. 9 and No. 10 respectively in the overall list.

The complete top 10 list of most stolen passenger vehicles includes:

1. Ford Pickup
2. Chevrolet Pickup
3. Dodge Pickup
4. Honda Accord
5. Honda Civic
6. Chevrolet Tahoe
7. GMC Pickup
8. Ford Taurus
9. Toyota Camry
10. Ford Mustang

Vehicles are stolen for a variety of reasons, and contrary to popular belief, the most stolen vehicles are several years old. Some are stolen and stripped for parts. Others are stolen and resold by thieves to unsuspecting buyers. Many vehicles are stolen for joyriding, for use in committing other crimes, to perpetrate insurance fraud, or for other illegitimate purposes. And vehicle theft costs Texans more money than any other crime – over $900 million in 2006.

Texas Auto Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority (ABTPA) personnel strongly encourage Texas drivers to practice vehicle crimes prevention. ABTPA Director Susan Sampson said in a prepared statement, “Auto thieves are looking for ‘the easy take.’ So it is more important than ever that drivers practice common sense and utilize practical prevention methods such as locking doors, taking keys, and hiding all items that may be desirable to a thief.”

-- submitted by Michelle Lanham, Program Manager, Texas Auto Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority RATT Program