Vehicle theft spikes in COVID-19 pandemic The coronavirus hasn’t been kind to car ownersLOS ANGELES -- The coronavirus hasn’t been kind to car owners. And many other law enforcement agencies around the U.S. are reporting an increase in stolen cars and vehicle burglaries, even as violent crime has dropped dramatically nationwide in the coronavirus pandemic. In Austin, Texas, last month, a whopping 72% of the 322 stolen vehicles had their keys nearby. Chris Vetrano, a supervisor in the 11-detective auto theft unit that investigates stolen vehicle cases. (He should know: Someone broke into his locked Ford F-150 pickup truck, one of the most commonly stolen vehicles, about a year ago.)

Source: ABC News May 25, 2020 13:24 UTC