Own a pickup? Keep an eye on vehicle

Pickups are not only popular among Texas drivers, they are also top targets for Texas vehicle thieves.

The Texas Department of Public Safety has released its final report on the top 10 vehicles reported stolen in Texas during 2007.

The report is compiled monthly by DPS and represents vehicle theft data entered into the Texas Crime Information Center by all Texas law enforcement agencies.

Based on the reports, as has been the case for many years, pickup trucks top the list of thieves' most common targets for the year.

The complete list of the 10 most stolen passenger vehicles includes:
1. Ford pickup
2. Chevrolet pickup

3. Dodge pickup
4. Honda Accord
5. Honda Civic
6. Chevrolet Tahoe
7. GMC pickup
8. Ford Taurus
9. Toyota Camry
10. Ford Mustang

DPS officials also note that if motorcycle theft totals were included, the Honda and Yahama motorcycles would rank No. 9 and 10, respectively, in the overall list.

Vehicles are stolen for a variety of reasons, and contrary to popular belief, the most stolen vehicles are several years old.

Some are stolen and stripped for parts. Others are stolen and resold by thieves to unsuspecting buyers. Many vehicles are stolen for joyriding, for use in committing other crimes, to perpetrate insurance fraud or for other illegitimate purposes.

Vehicle theft costs Texans more money than any other crime -- over $900 million in 2006.

Texas Auto Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority personnel strongly encourage Texas drivers to practice vehicle crimes prevention.

Susan Sampson, ABTPA director, said, "Auto thieves are looking for the 'easy take.' So it is more important than ever that drivers practice common sense and utilize practical prevention methods such as locking doors, taking keys and hiding all items that may be desirable to a thief."

The Texas ABTPA, an office of the Texas Department of Transportation, has funded law enforcement programs specializing in vehicle crimes investigation, recovery, prevention and prosecution since 1991. Since then, Texas has realized a 42 percent reduction in the vehicle theft total and a 59 percent reduction in the vehicle theft rate based on the number of registered vehicles in the state.

Throughout the years, ABTPA has worked closely with local, state and national agencies to reduce auto theft and burglary. Currently, ABTPA funds 30 grant programs, allowing over 150 law enforcement officers throughout Texas to focus exclusively on the resolution of vehicle crimes cases.