New York State - Division of Criminal Justice Services

agencies with similar investigations involving salvage sales through the use of the MV-35s; Buffalo's GIU detective has provided training to those agencies and officers.Buffalo Police continue to see the thefts of Hondas and Acura Integras across the city’sfive police districts, however, analysis conducted by the Crime Analysis Center showsthat the most thefts are occurring in the D and E Districts. The spike in Hondaunauthorized use of a vehicle incidents occurred in the previously identified hot-spotareas in B and D Districts, which borders D’Youville College and Buffalo State College.All UUVs were 1998-2000 Honda Civics and all occurred on a weekend. It is well knownthat Honda models, particularly Civics, are valued because they are frequently modifiedto become “street racers.” Hondas parts also are valued as replacement parts on streetracers. Individuals and gangs known to be involved in auto stripping/salvaging/streetracing are watched by patrols to prevent a more widespread pattern from developing.At the end of 2009, one particular case in "E" District involved a local companywho leased seven vehicles for an out-of-state dealer. The local dealer would not returnthe vehicles, and after further investigation, the local dealer took one of those vehiclesto Maryland, forging the title, so he could sell that vehicle in Boston. This case wasturned over the District Attorney's Office and prosecution of the suspect is pending.During the holiday season this year, Buffalo Police dedicated district patrols inhot spots as determined by the Erie Crime Analysis Center. Patrol concentrated on carbreak-ins, suspicious vehicles, auto theft, and possible break-ins during holidayshopping. Also, due to several holiday shows, the theatre district was well patrolled, theRotary Ice Rink and the area around Children's Hospital due to a rash of repeatedbreak-ins. In the "E" District, officers caught not only caught a suspect vandalizing cars,but assisted with a burglary in progress call in the same vicinity. Also, while out onpatrol, officers ended up arresting two suspects for possession of firearm during theirpatrol around Genesee and Hagen. "D" District officers worked with US Border Patrolon the towing of a suspicious vehicle. In addition, "C" District Officers worked severalauto yards by interviewing managers and running vehicle identification numbers. "C"District officers also used their license reader and investigated an auto shop in the citywhere there were several cars with out-of-state plates. One stolen car was recoveredduring these checks.Buffalo’s GIU auto theft detective (s) and the GIU detective sergeant also havebeen involved on a couple cases with Operation IMPACT partners, including New YorkState Police. On weekends, IMPACT troopers patrol with Buffalo Police officers indesignated “hot spots”. Several arrests have been made, leading to the confiscation ofa several guns and narcotics.NYS DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES MVTIFP BOARD / ANNUAL REPORT 2009 Page 56