The State : L.A. Area Tops in Auto Thefts

Nearly 250,000 vehicles were stolen in California during 1987, 11% more than the year before. The California Highway Patrol reported that the 231,452 stolen vehicles--about one out of every 99 vehicles registered in the state--were worth an estimated $820 million. The sharpest increase in vehicle thefts was reported in San Diego County, with 35.5% more than in 1986. Los Angeles County reported the largest number of vehicles stolen, 107,414. “The one bright spot in these statistics was the recovery rates, which were 88.6% for all vehicles and 92.9% for automobiles,” said CHP Commissioner James E. Smith. The eight most commonly stolen cars, in order, are Toyota Celica ST, Toyota Corolla, Volkswagen bug, Datsun 210, Chevrolet Camaro, Toyota Corona, Oldsmobile Cutlass and Mazda RX7.