Lock Your Cars! Vehicle Theft Spikes in COVID-19 Pandemic

Though violent crime has dropped nationwide, many law enforcement agencies around the U.S. are reporting an increase in stolen cars and vehicle burglaries

By Stefanie Dazio • Published May 25, 2020 • Updated on May 25, 2020 at 12:50 pm

a parked car with a broken driver's side window after a smash-and-grab break-in — AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes

The coronavirus hasn't been kind to car owners.

With more people than ever staying home to lessen the spread of COVID-19, their sedans, pickup trucks and SUVs are parked unattended on the streets. That makes them easy targets for thieves.

Despite silent streets and nearly non-existent traffic, vehicle larcenies shot up 63% in New York and nearly 17% in Los Angeles from Jan. 1 through mid-May, compared with the same period last year.

Many 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.