Top 10 Most Stolen Vehicles in Alaska

Imagine leaving your house to go to work in the morning, only to find that your car isn’t in its usual parking place. You wonder, “Did I park on the street?” You check, but your vehicle isn’t there either.

This scenario may sound like a nightmare, but it’s a sad reality for thousands of people every day.

Hopefully, you’ll never be forced to deal with such a situation, but there are things you can do to reduce the risk that you’ll experience a car theft.

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Why are some cars targeted more than others?

Alaska sees more trucks stolen than cars. Compared to most states, this is extremely unusual. Why are trucks so popular among thieves?

In a state known for its rugged terrain, it’s not hard to understand why trucks are in such high demand.

Alaska’s high volume of snowfall and beautiful mountain trails require four wheel drive. Most truck owners in Alaska purchase vehicles with this feature, so thieves have a plethora of vehicles to choose from.

Things That Encourage Thieves to Steal Your Car

There are things you absolutely should not do as a car owner. Car thieves may be clever, but car owners can make a thief’s job much easier by doing a few things:

– Leaving Your Car Unlocked

Some people leave their car unlocked to run into the grocery or convenient store.

Some people leave their car unlocked in their driveways or garages. Some people even leave their cars unlocked while at work. This is a huge mistake! Leaving your car unlocked is an open invitation for a thief to steal your car.

– Leaving Your Motor Running

Just like leaving your car unlocked, leaving your motor running is an open invitation for thieves.

The emergence of keyless vehicles has somewhat curbed this problem, but most vehicles on the road aren’t keyless. Leaving your vehicle running unattended for any amount of time is a big no-no!

– Leaving Your Belongings in Plain Sight

Leaving valuable items where they can entice would-be thieves is not the best idea. Many people don’t understand that a vehicle full of valuable items is a huge motivator for thieves.

Not only do they get a vehicle that they can sell for parts, they also get valuables that can be pawned. Store your electronics, jewelry, and other valuable belongings in your glove box or center console.

Auto Theft Laws in Alaska

In Alaska, a vehicle theft refers to any propelled vehicle that carries or transports a person or property via water, air, or land.

Auto theft in the first degree is a felony in Alaska and occurs when an individual takes a vehicle that they do not have the right to take and any one of the following occurs:

• Causes damage of $500 or more to the vehicle
• The owner incurs expenses as a result of the theft totaling $500 or more
• The owner is unable to use the vehicle for seven days or more
• The vehicle is marked as a police or emergency vehicle
• The offender has a prior conviction for an auto theft crime in the past seven years.

Vehicle theft in the first degree is punishable by a fine of up to $50,000 and up to five years in prison. Vehicle theft in the second degree occurs when an individual:

• Takes, drives, or tows away any propelled vehicle other than a car, truck, motorcycle, motor home, boat, bus, or airplane – for instance, an ATV or golf cart, or
• Knowingly and willfully fails to return a vehicle to its owner according to the terms of a written agreement for use of the vehicle.

Vehicle theft in the second degree is punishable by up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $1,000. Although these punishments are tough, it still doesn’t deter some people from attempting to steal a vehicle.

10 Most Stolen Vehicles in Alaska

(Click here for an interactive chart.)

#10 – 1998 Chevrolet Pickup (small size)

Chevrolet’s 1998 Pickup is an easy target for thieves. The lack of safety features makes it a quick steal! There were 20 car thefts of this vehicle in the year of its release.

#9 – 2000 Ford Pickup (small size)

Ford’s 2000 Pickup had a major flaw. It’s internal computer had a glitch that caused the security system to completely fail when someone attempted to break into the vehicle. This vehicle had 22 thefts the year of its release.

#8 – 1999 Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee

The 1999 Jeep Cherokee has absolutely no security features to speak of. The doors could be locked, but that is the only barrier that thieves were required to overcome in order to steal this vehicle.

#7 – 1994 Ford Explorer

Ford’s 1994 Explorer was unique is unique in that it is one of the few SUVs in this age range that was also four-wheel-drive. This made it extremely appealing for thieves. This vehicle had 28 thefts the year of its release.

#6 – 1998 Dodge Pickup (full size)

The 1998 Dodge Pickup has one major flaw. It’s one of the easiest trucks to hotwire. This vehicle had 31 thefts in 1998.

#5 – 1993 Honda Accord

Foreign vehicles are extremely valuable to thieves. They can be broken down and sold for parts. This is even more true for Hondas.

Honda owners are extremely brand loyal and prefer to drive their vehicles for many years. For this reason, there is a high demand for the parts of older vehicles. This vehicle had 46 thefts the year of its release.

#4 – 2000 Honda Civic

Again, Honda’s are always in high demand. These vehicles hold their value, and for this reason, they are extremely appealing to thieves. This vehicle had 56 thefts the year of its release.

#3 – 1997 GMC Pickup (full size)

The 1997 GMC Pickup is a very popular vehicle among thieves. It is easily broken down for parts, which are in extremely high demand. This vehicle had 58 thefts the year of its release.

#2 – 2004 Ford Pickup (full size)

With features like four-wheel-drive and an optional navigation system, this vehicle is a jackpot for any thief. This vehicle had 95 thefts the year of its release.

#1 – 2003 Chevrolet pickup (full size)

The 2003 Chevrolet pickup is a great vehicle for car thieves. Advanced security features weren’t available in lower trim, so this vehicle is relatively easy to steal. This vehicle had 147 thefts the year of its release.

Steps You Can Take to Avoid Car Theft

– Do Not Hide a Key

One of the worst mistakes that car owners make is hiding a key on the exterior of their vehicle. The first thing that thieves do is search for a hidden key. There are few hiding spots on a vehicle that would actually dupe a thief.

– Park in A Well-Lit Area

It’s no secret that thieves are more likely to steal your vehicle in a dark area. It’s better to park in a bright area where someone would catch a would-be thief.

– Vehicle Recovery Systems

Placing a GPS device in your vehicle will allow you and the police to locate your vehicle after a theft. It’s one of the best ways to ensure that your vehicle will be recovered after a theft.

What to Do If Your Car Is Stolen

It’s important to remain calm when your car is stolen. Call the police and file a police report.

This gives your insurance company an official statement to work with. After you have filed your police report call your insurance company. They will walk you through filing an insurance claim.

Finding the Insurance Policy That Meets Your Needs

It’s important to compare insurance policies to ensure that you are covered if a theft occurs. Pay close attention to the customer service you receive during the quote process. It speaks volumes about how the company will treat you when filing a theft claim!

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