New York State - Division of Criminal Justice Services

Brooklyn North Auto Larceny UnitPerformance Measure Total Performance Measure TotalMVT-related felony arrests 64 Reported motor vehicle thefts 1,399Stolen parts recovered 28 Stolen vehicles recovered 514Value of vehicles recovered $1,000,000 Value of parts recovered $5,000Queens South Auto Larceny UnitThe Queens South Auto Larceny Unit is tasked with patrol duties with specialattention to vehicle-related crimes in the precincts that comprise the Patrol BoroughQueens South. The unit functions as an augment to the precinct patrol with the goal ofreducing vehicle-related crimes. The Patrol Borough Queens South consists of thefollowing Precincts in Queens County: 100, 101, 102, 103, 105, 106, 107, and 113.Currently, the Queens South Auto Larceny Unit consists of a lieutenant, two sergeants,and nine police officers who are deployed on two separate tours of duty.The Auto Larceny Unit performs patrol duties with vehicles equipped with Lo-Jack units, mobile digital computers, and one vehicle that is equipped with a licenseplate reader device in attempt to detect and deter vehicle related crimes. Deploymentfor patrol is determined by analysis of vehicle-related crimes in order to respond to thecurrent crime trends.In 2009, there were 1,793 vehicles reported stolen from the precincts thatcomprise Patrol Borough Queens South, an 11.5% decrease from the 2,027 vehiclesreported stolen in 2008. Of these reported stolen vehicles, some are actually acts ofinsurance fraud. Although it is difficult to put a firm number on how many are fraudulentreports, there were 60 arrests for insurance fraud made in Queens County, with QueensSouth Auto Larceny Unit making four arrests for insurance fraud based on fraudulentlyreported stolen vehicles in 2009.An analysis of stolen vehicles, arrests involving stolen vehicles, debriefings ofarrested perpetrators, and of recovered stolen vehicles in Patrol Borough Queens Southhave revealed a few trends.The first trend involves Honda Civics and Acuras made in the 1990s. Thesevehicles are primarily stolen for parts, particularly V-Tec engines and transmissions.Honda Civics are commonly used for street racing and are relatively easy to steal.From arrests, it appears that these stolen cars are stripped in private lots and backyardsin Queens for their parts to be used in other Civics. Some individuals steal these carsfor personal use of the parts, while others seek to profit from members of the streetracing subculture who are in need of parts. These vehicles are regularly recovered inresidential areas with major parts missing.Another Queens South vehicle theft trend involves Ford Econoline Vans, whichare ubiquitous on major thoroughfares, as they are the primary vehicle for the livery or“Dollar Van” routes. The Ford Econoline is another vehicle that is relatively easy forthieves to steal and the majority of parts have no indentifiable markings. Vans areNYS DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES MVTIFP BOARD / ANNUAL REPORT 2009 Page 37