Fairfax County Auto Theft Unit Takes on Rise in Stolen Autos – NBC4 Washington

With carjackings and automobile thefts on the rise throughout the realm, the Fairfax County Police Division created a particular unit earlier this 12 months.

A dramatic new dashboard digital camera video exhibits how an auto theft unit is ready in movement to systematically seize a automobile thief. A number of unmarked police cruisers in purple SUVs crusing the Beltway. The officer pressed the SUV driver on his shoulder. The motive force was arrested and the stolen automobile was left on the road.

It was the work of the Automotive Crime Enforcement Staff (ACE), led by Jeffrey Andrea.

“One factor that’s widespread to violent crime within the area is that many of the robberies, murders and shootings use stolen autos,” mentioned Andrea.

Since its launch in April, the ACE crew has recovered 84 stolen autos, made 78 arrests, filed over 400 expenses and recovered 17 weapons. Many of those firearms weren’t salvaged throughout demolition, however from stolen autos at auto dealerships. A automobile thief steals a car, modifications the VIN quantity and tries to promote it to a vendor.

Hermann Cuardos, Basic Supervisor of Truthful Oaks Motors, not too long ago known as the police on a suspicious individual making an attempt to name a dealership.

“They discovered that within the automobile, the individual most likely had 50 checks in numerous quantities for various vehicles from completely different sellers.

Earlier this week, Fairfax County Police recovered a stolen automobile at Tysons Nook, however the driver did not comprehend it had been stolen. The motive force bought the automobile from a neighborhood vendor, however police say he unknowingly purchased it from a automobile thief.

Automobile sellers say thieves are getting extra high-tech. A thief not too long ago went to Truthful Oaks Motors. He did not even put his hand on the important thing fob, however he had a tool in his pocket anyway that would steal the important thing fob’s info. That night time, the thief returned to the dealership and stole a automobile from the parking zone. Fortunately, the auto theft unit was capable of get well the car and return it to the vendor.

Residents have additionally been hit laborious. In October, a house owner’s safety digital camera caught an individual going door-to-door close to South Van Dorn and Franconia Street in search of an unlocked automobile. 4 vehicles have been stolen that night time.

“You’ll be shocked how many individuals have stolen what number of vehicles, simply by leaving their keys within the automobile,” mentioned Andrea.

Police say the brand new crew has been profitable in recovering stolen autos, however many of those crimes are preventable.

Thieves know easy methods to disable navigation units, police say, however there are different third-party monitoring techniques that automobile homeowners can set up to trace stolen autos. Police advise that in case your car is stolen, do not attempt to monitor it your self. Name the police to retrieve it.