A preliminary police report shows about 13 percent of vehicles reported stolen in 2012 across Fairfax County were stolen in the McLean Police District, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
In 2012, 106 vehicles were reported stolen in the McLean district of out a total of 812 reported stolen across Fairfax County. McLean District covers McLean, Tysons Corner and the neighborhoods of Pimmit Hills, Idylwood, Merrifield and other areas (see map here).
In terms of reported stolen vehicle volume, McLean's police district came in third behind the Mount Vernon (194 stolen in 2012) and Franconia (143 stolen in 2012) police districts. There are eight total police districts in Fairfax County.
Overall Decline in Vehicle Thefts
The preliminary report indicates Fairfax County police saw a decline in reported vehicle thefts compared to 2011 and 2010, when 881 and 963 vehicles were reported stolen in the county respectively.
According to Auto Theft Info, vehicle thefts have declined nationwide since the 1990s but is still the most expensive property crime in the United States. According to the FBI, $4.5 billion was lost nationwide to motor vehicle thefts in 2010. The FBI reports that a vehicle theft occurred every 42.8 seconds in 2010.
Vehicles that are commonly targeted include Honda Accords and Civics, Toyota Camrys and Chevy pick-up trucks.
FCPD's Auto Theft Unit has a recovery rate of about 80 percent, according to FCPD. About 54 percent of vehicles recovered are found outside of Fairfax County, according to the police department's public information office.
The biggest issue the Auto Theft Unit deals with is people leaving their keys in their cars—particularly in cold weather when residents want their vehicles to warm up before driving. Just last winter, about a dozen cars were stolen in one neighborhood in the Lorton area because people were warming up their cars in the morning.
Fairfax County police are seeing an increase in motorcycle thefts. FCPD detectives urge people not to leave spare keys to their motorcycle in their car. Police suggest owners should take steps to prevent vehicle theft by having good locks and parking both vehicles and motorcycles in enclosed areas if possible.
