Governor Hochul Announces $8.7 Million in Stolen Vehicles and Parts Recovered for New Yorkers

 

DMV Investigators Recovered 286 Vehicles and 157 Auto Parts in 2023

Comprehensive Auto-Theft Reduction Strategy is Working, with Motor Vehicle Thefts Down 50% in Rochester, 45% in Buffalo

Governor Kathy Hochul announced today that DMV investigators recovered 286 stolen vehicles valued at nearly $8.6 million and another $152,000 in stolen auto parts in 2023, as the State ramps up efforts to crack down on skyrocketing auto thefts. The recoveries are up 19 percent from the $7.3 million recovered in 2022, and a 67 percent increase from the $5.2 million recovered in 2021.

“Keeping New Yorkers safe is my top priority,” Governor Hochul said. “I launched the Comprehensive Auto-Theft Reduction Strategy to support our law enforcement and protect New Yorkers from theft, and these investments are paying off.”

In addition to the 286 vehicles recovered, DMV investigators recovered 157 auto parts, nearly twice the number of parts recovered in 2022.

Vehicles Recovered by Region

Region	Vehicles recovered
Capital Region	16
Finger Lakes	17
Mid-Hudson	25
New York City	142
Central NY	12
Long Island	42
Mohawk Valley	3
Western NY	29
Total	286

Recognizing the significant increase in vehicle thefts in New York State and across the country, Governor Hochul initiated a five-point plan called the Comprehensive Auto-Theft Reduction Strategy (CARS).

Highlights of the campaign include:

• $5 million for prevention programs for teens and young adults in the most impacted areas across the State.
• New York State Police ramped up enforcement in high-theft areas, and district attorneys will receive federal help in prosecuting the large number of cases.
• New York State launched a new website as part of a public awareness campaign in an effort to provide resources and education that will help New Yorkers take their own measures to prevent auto theft. It can be found at this link: www.governor.ny.gov/programs/taking-action-against-car-theft
• The Governor and New York State DMV sent a letter to each New Yorker who owns a Kia or Hyundai to inform them of the increase specific to their vehicle and advise them of tools available free of charge to help prevent their car form being stolen.
• The Governor sent a letter to each regional Auto Dealers Association alerting them to the campaign.

New Yorkers can report a stolen vehicle to State Police or local law enforcement, and information about stolen and recovered vehicles is available on the DMV website including what to do if your vehicle license plates are stolen.

Impact of CARS

State and local data demonstrated that that motor vehicle thefts was the only crime category that increased in 2023. In New York City, motor vehicle thefts were up 15 percent year over year and 191percent compared to the pre-pandemic baseline. Across the rest of New York, motor vehicle thefts increased 67 percent year over year in 2023 and 188 percent compared to the pre-pandemic baseline. Outside New York City, the most impacted areas of the State were Monroe and Erie counties. Almost two thirds of motor vehicle thefts occurred in these two counties. Roughly 50 percent of all motor vehicle thefts occurred in two cities, Rochester and Buffalo.

Since the implementation of CARS in September 2023, motor vehicle thefts are down 50 percent in Rochester and down 45 percent in Buffalo compared to the prior four-month period. State data indicates there have been similar reductions in Monroe and Erie counties. New York State will continue to monitor the progress of this initiative, and provide whatever resources are needed to deter and prosecute automotive theft.