OHP troopers recover 721 stolen vehicles worth $5.2 million in 2008

Stopping vehicle thefts always has been a priority of Ohio law-enforcement officers, but the effort has taken on additional importance as it relates to preventing other crimes in Ohio, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

OHP troopers, along with local law-enforcement officials across Ohio, are well aware that criminals travel in stolen vehicles amidst unsuspecting and law-abiding motorists, as they carry out their criminal activities.

OHP troopers recovered 721 stolen vehicles last year, valued at $5.2 million, with 555 of those recoveries resulting in apprehensions, according to OHP Lt. Mike Harmon, commander of OHP’s Saybrook post.

OHP’s top auto-larceny enforcer for 2008 was Trooper Dan Jesse, who is assigned to the post. Jesse recovered 16 stolen vehicles valued at $97,940, which resulted in the apprehension of 17 suspects.

In addition to recovering stolen vehicles, last year troopers made 5,244 misdemeanor criminal arrests and 1,540 felony arrests, through their enforcement efforts, and arrested 4,467 persons who were wanted on outstanding warrants, of whom 967 were wanted felons, according to Harmon’s press release.

According to federal sources, vehicle theft is the second most profitable crime in the United States, surpassed only by the trafficking and sale of illegal narcotics. Ongoing efforts by OHP troopers continue to reduce auto thefts overall and are having a significant impact on related crimes across Ohio, Harmon said.

State troopers recommend people take the following precautions to protect their vehicles from break-ins, which could lead to the theft of the vehicle itself or of property inside the vehicle: (1) Never leave your car running, or leave the keys in the ignition, when it is unattended. (2) Keep your car doors locked at all times. (3) If you have a garage, park your car inside and lock the garage door. (4) Don’t store packages or valuables in plain sight. (5) Park your car in a safe well-lit or well-traveled area at night. (6) Have your vehicle identification number etched into the windows and major parts of your car, to make your car harder to resell on the black market. (7) Avoid parking your car in a long-term parking lot, and (8) Remove any portable electronic devices, like compact-disc players or GPS navigation systems when you leave your car.

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