“Calling all Honda Accord owners. You may want to get a new security system for your car,” says U.S. News & World Report. But then again, if you’re familiar with the “Most Stolen Vehicles” in the United States, you may already know that Honda Accords and Honda Civics are very popular when it comes to car thieves.
In 2015, over 52,000 Honda Accords were stolen, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau. Which model was stolen the most? The 1996 model, according to the NICB. The second-most stolen car was the Honda Civic, with over 49,000 Honda Civics stolen in 2015. Car thieves loved the 1998 model more than any other year.
According to U.S. News & World Report, these were the 8 most stolen cars in 2015:
- Honda Accord (52,244 thefts)
- Honda Civic (49,430 thefts)
- Full-Size Ford Pickup (29,396 thefts)
- Full Size Chevrolet Pickup (27,771 thefts)
- Toyota Camry (15,466 thefts)
- Nissan Altima (10,374 thefts)
- Dodge Caravan (9,798 thefts)
- Chevrolet Impala (9,225 thefts)
Texas Auto Theft Statutes
You’re probably familiar with the video game, Grand Theft Auto or GTA. In Texas, our statutes that address stealing vehicles are not specifically called “auto theft” or grand theft auto.” Instead, auto theft is covered under Title 7, Chapter 31 of the Texas Penal Code, Theft. Under Sec. 31.03(a) of the Texas Penal Code, a person commits “theft” when he or she “unlawfully appropriates property with the intent to deprive the owner of property.”
The penalties for auto theft under the Texas Penal Code depend on the value of the vehicle stolen. Suppose someone steals a “beater” that’s worth between $750 and $2,499.00. In that case, the thief would be charged with a Class A misdemeanor. But less face it, few people are willing to steal a car that’s worth so little. Chances are, it will break down sooner than later.
If someone were to steal a vehicle that was worth $2,500 or more, but less than $30,000, the offense would be a state jail felony. Auto theft is a felony of the third degree, if the vehicle stolen was worth $30,000 or more, but less than $150,000.
To learn more about the penalties involved in auto theft, click here.
Facing criminal charges for stealing a vehicle in the Greater Dallas Area? If the vehicle is worth more than $2,500, you could be facing felony charges. Contact us today for the skilled legal defense you need and deserve.