CALIFORNIA BRIEFING / STATEWIDE
Vehicle thefts in California dropped 12% in 2008 over the previous year, the California Highway Patrol announced Tuesday.
Of the 199,766 vehicles stolen last year, more than half were cars, followed by trucks and vans and, finally, motorcycles. About 9% of the thefts were described as RVs, commercial vehicles and farm equipment.
About 86% of the vehicles stolen were recovered. More than half of those recovered were found operational or intact, CHP officials said.
Topping the list of most frequently stolen cars in 2008 was the 1991 Honda Accord. Authorities believe better alarm systems are helping to reduce vehicle thefts.
-- Ruben Vives
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