New York State - Division of Criminal Justice Services

In 2009, two trends were identified as being the most prevalent in relation to autotheft and insurance fraud: larceny from motor vehicles and fraudulent stolen car claims.At first, vehicle larcenies were centered in the southern part of the county in the townsof Pendleton and Wheatfield, but soon spread north and affected the areas of Wilsonand Ransomville. Most cases involved unlocked vehicles that were parked overnight inthe victim’s driveway.In 2009, there was an increase in stolen vehicle insurance claims but not anylarge-scale, organized crime ring associated with the thefts. There was a small group onthe Tuscarora Indian Reservation operating in the Lewiston area, but for most of thecounty individual claims were being made. It is possible that the bad economy mayhave played a major role in these crimes, with individuals not being able to afford theirpayments and attempting to rid themselves of their vehicles. A percentage of thesecrimes in the Lockport area were identified as drug related.The office has now started a concentrated effort to fight both of the above trendsby deploying extra patrols in the areas that experienced a high frequency of reportedstolen vehicles (the towns of Lewiston and Niagara with special concentration on theTuscarora Indian Reservation). Vehicles equipped with license plate readers weredeployed on weekends and overnights. LPR patrols also were deployed in Lockportand Newfane areas, which also have elevated rates of vehicle theft. The LPR is aterrific tool to identify stolen vehicles, suspect vehicles, and suspensions/revocationsespecially in higher crime areas such as the reservation. The office also started a newstrategy this year in concert with the Niagara County District Attorney’s Office, tocombat insurance fraud as related to motor vehicle theft. It was becoming apparent thatreports of theft were increasing that involved suspicious reporting/activity on the part ofthe vehicle owner. The office required that owners sign an affidavit, swearing that allthe information they were providing was truthful and if not, they were subject to arrestfor falsely reporting. Two arrests were made for falsely reporting after this documentwent into effect and some reporting victims refused to sign it.In 2009, 14 individuals arrested by the office for a major crime spree in 2008were successfully prosecuted. These individuals were involved in multiple residentialburglaries, vehicle thefts, and a robbery in the northern and eastern part of NiagaraCounty. These individuals received penalties ranging from probation to several years instate prison.Niagara County Office of the SheriffPerformance Measure Total Performance Measure TotalMVT investigations initiated 214 Reported motor vehicle thefts 183Investigations filed with SAFETNet 1 Stolen parts recovered 0Hits resulting from SAFETNet 0 Stolen vehicles recovered 113MVT-related misdemeanor arrests 37 Value of parts recovered 500MVT-related felony arrests 8 Value of vehicles recovered 320,506Confidential informants developed 7NYS DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES MVTIFP BOARD / ANNUAL REPORT 2009 Page 63