New York State - Division of Criminal Justice Services

motor vehicles are assigned to this unit and misdemeanor auto theft cases continue tobe prosecuted by various ADAs assigned to the local criminal courts but the membersof the MVTIFP unit advise these ADAs on procedures and prosecution strategies, andintelligence gained as a result of misdemeanor prosecutions is provided to the unit toassist with its investigations.The ADA assigned to the MVTIFP unit, fully evaluates all of the cases referred tothe program by police agencies, advises police on procedures, and meets with officersto discuss programmatic issues of mutual concern. The Investigator assigned to theMVTIFP unit enhances the prosecution of cases by interviewing witnesses, evaluatingevidence, serving subpoenas, checking defendant prior criminal histories to identifyrepeat offenders, and works closely with police agency personnel assigned by theirrespective departments to investigate the target crimes. The Economic Crimes bureauchief advises and supervises both of the personnel assigned to the program, chairsmeetings with New York State Department of Motor Vehicles and local representativesof the Insurance Frauds Bureau of the New York State Insurance Department, andprovides input in developing strategies and setting priorities for the program. Theprincipal members of the Auto Theft Task Force include the District Attorney's Office,the Rochester Police Department, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, the GreecePolice Department, the Gates Police Department, the New York State Police, the stateInsurance Fraud Bureau, and the state Department of Motor Vehicles. The Auto TheftTask Force assists other department members as well as outside agencies with anymotor vehicle-related theft or motor vehicle insurance fraud investigation. The TaskForce also utilizes intelligence information to initiate investigations into chop shoplocations, retagging operations and motor vehicle theft rings.A DCJS comparison of reported motor vehicle thefts during 2008 and 2009shows a 21% decrease from 1,698 to 1,341 and appears to support the idea that theanti-auto theft program first begun in 2004 under this grant program is having an impacton the incidence of this type of crime in Monroe County.The 2009 Statewide Plan of Operation for Motor Vehicle Theft reported that therewere 209 suspected instances of motor vehicle insurance fraud in Monroe County in2008, as opposed to 309 such suspected incidents in 2004, a decrease of 32% sincethe start of project operations. In 2009, seven new cases were referred to the DA’soffice.Monroe County has experienced an increase in the number of larcenies fromlocked and unlocked vehicles. Numerous arrests have been made, with someoffenders receiving state prison time.Law enforcement agencies in the county also have been directed to chargedefendants with auto stripping, when appropriate, in cases of auto theft as well aslarcenies from vehicles.NYS DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES MVTIFP BOARD / ANNUAL REPORT 2009 Page 66