As part of National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month, the California Highway Patrol is reminding drivers to take simple steps to protect their vehicles and avoid becoming victims of auto theft.
Vehicle thefts dropped in California in 2024, marking the state’s first year-over-year decline since 2019. Last year, 176,230 vehicles were reported stolen, down from nearly 203,000 in 2023—a drop of more than 13%. Almost 85% of those vehicles were eventually recovered.
“We are proud to see fewer vehicles being stolen across the state. The CHP and our law enforcement partners are working hard every day to stop these crimes, protect California’s communities, and hold criminals responsible,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee…