Vehicle thefts and thefts have decreased, but steering wheel thefts are registering more occurrences
The number of thefts and thefts from vehicles has registered a decrease of 27.4% in the last five years, according to the PSP, noting that the theft of components such as steering wheels is the one that currently records the most occurrences.
In a statement released this Sunday, October 13, the national management of the PSP says that after the theft of components, the theft of a vehicle follows and, finally, the theft of a vehicle. By categories and classes of vehicles, “passenger vehicles represent 71% of the total number of stolen/stolen vehicles.”
“Stolen and/or stolen vehicles are generally dismantled for parts, and there is a growing record of identification of parts and components of stolen vehicles in recovered/seized vehicles”, says the PSP.
However, in relation to the crime of vehicle theft, the increase has been residual, with the exception of 2021, when a peak of 108 robberies was reached.
With regard to the theft of vehicle components, “while in the 1990s and 2000s it was limited to car radios and rims, nowadays it is more embodied in multifunction steering wheels and central consoles of certain brands and models”, he explains.
“O way of working The most common occurrence is the breaking of the rear triangular glass, to access the interior of the vehicle. The theft of these components is normally motivated by the need to replace flywheels that triggered the ignition system. airbaga device that is not individually repaired or replaced by vehicle brands”, says the police.
On the other hand, “there is also a great demand for sportier steering wheels, and their theft may be associated with the intention to increase the value of other vehicles.”
In 2023, the PSP identified 501 suspects and arrested 132 citizens. The arrest of suspects for the crimes of theft and vehicle theft represents an increase of 1.7% compared to 2022 and 20.3% compared to 2020.
Last year, the PSP recorded 4,421 motor vehicle thefts, 77 motor vehicle thefts and three thefts of industrial or agricultural machinery, totaling 4,501 incidents.
According to the same source, these numbers represent a decrease of 9.9% compared to 2022 and 27.4% compared to 2019.
As for the total value of thefts and robberies of motor vehicles and industrial or agricultural machinery reported in 2023, which reached R$ 28,701,200.48, there is also a decrease of around 9% compared to 2022 and R$ 53, 6% compared to 2019.
The PSP also concludes that after its actions focused on combating the theft of catalysts, “the number of incidents of theft of this component decreased considerably, with no criminal relevance in the 2023 records”.
