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Between 1992 and 2002, a time when the Metro East areas population was growing, the motor vehicle theft rate in the region increased from 403 to 424 offenses per 100,000 populations; however, the statewide motor vehicle theft rate decreased from 609 to 359 offenses during the same time period. According to preliminary data, there were 207 offenses per 100,000 populations in the Metro East area between January and June 2003, while Illinois experienced 174 offenses per 100,000 populations. The Metro East Auto Theft (MEATTF) Task Force combats auto theft in Madison and St. Clair counties by combining the expertise and resources of multiple law enforcement agencies. Operating since 1992, the task force links the efforts of the Illinois State Police, the sheriff’s offices of Madison and St. Clair counties, the Illinois Secretary of State Police, and the police departments of Belleville, Cahokia, Collinsville, Glen Carbon, Granite City, and Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. The task force multi-jurisdictional, cooperative approach maximizes its ability to investigate and prosecute auto theft throughout the area. The services of the task force are available to all law enforcement agencies within Madison and St. Clair counties. The MEATTF task force serves Madison and St. Clair counties. The counties are located in the southwest region of Illinois, and lie adjacent to St. Louis, Missouri. The area covers both large population centers and vast rural areas. According to United State Census Bureau 2005 population estimates, the Madison County population was 264,309 and St. Clair County was 260,0673. To date, MEATTF has initiated 8,078 criminal investigations, resulting in 3,540 arrests and 1,170 convictions. The unit recovered 4,642 stolen vehicles worth an estimated $34.9 million. The unit identified a trend in carjacking, vehicles given up voluntarily to co-conspirators in exchange for crack cocaine, and street gangs using the vehicles to commit crimes. In 2004, the MEATTF task force conducted 654 investigations (354 self-initiated and 300 assisted investigations), resulting in 335 arrests. The task force referred 246 cases for prosecution, which led to 80 convictions. During 2004, MEATTF recovered 332 vehicles with an estimated value of $2,920,618. An additional $12,280 was recovered in vehicle parts. The grand total of both recoveries is $2,932,898. During 2004, the task force worked jointly with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on a $1.5 million multi-state investigation involving thefts of numerous vehicles and tractors. Three subjects were apprehended and tried in federal court and convicted. Also in 2004, the task force developed information that led to the initiation of a federal investigation involving the theft of late model, high-value vehicles from Mississippi that were transported to St. Clair County, re tagged, and sold. This investigation led to the arrest and conviction of 9 subjects in 3 different states. The task force conducted an auto theft seminar at the State Farm Insurance Training Center in Collinsville, Illinois. The task force also worked jointly with the Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Police, and Special Audit Team, in the audit of several salvage yards and a reverse sting operation. In 2005, MEATTF conducted 703 investigations, resulting in 323 arrests. The task force referred 112 cases for prosecution that led to 111 convictions. The unit recovered 445 vehicles worth an estimated $3.1 million. All members of the task force attend a weekly roll call, during which new cases are discussed and suspect information is exchanged. Members of the task force also discuss new methods of operation and hot spots. The task force increased its activity by varying work hours and meeting with local police departments. In 2006, the task force conducted 568 investigations resulting in 309 arrests. The task force referred 218 cases for prosecution, which led to 106 convictions. During 2006, the task force recovered 358 vehicles with an estimated value of $2,421,869.The MEATTF task force is currently working on the implementation of a Bait Vehicle Program designed to effectively stop stolen vehicles and apprehend violators. The Bait Vehicle Program is designed to reduce auto theft through the deployment of a number of bait vehicles, targeted at hot spots or serial offenders. The bait vehicles are equipped with silent alarms, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), covert audio/video recording of the interior of the vehicle and remote control of the horn and engine. The vehicles engine can also be remotely disabled. This program will enable suspects to be apprehended in a safe and controlled manner, eliminating the need to pursue the vehicle. Bait vehicles will be under the control and supervision of the MEATTF task force director. Motor Vehicle Theft in the Metro East Area According to the Illinois State Police, the number of motor vehicle thefts reported in the area covered by the Metro East Auto Theft Task Force decreased 8 percent between 1992 and 2007, from 2,077 thefts to 1,902 thefts. Motor vehicle thefts decreased 54 percent statewide during the same period. Between 2000 and 2007, motor vehicle thefts in the Metro East area decreased 4 percent, from 1,990 to 1,902. The 1,902 motor vehicle thefts reported in the Metro East area in 2007 accounted for almost 6 percent of the 34,280 auto thefts reported across Illinois. Between 1992 and 2007, the Metro East area’s population increased 3 percent. The motor vehicle theft rate in the region decreased 11 percent during this time frame, while the statewide motor vehicle theft rate decreased 58 percent, from 631 to 267 offenses per 100,000 population. In 2007, there were 360 motor vehicle theft offenses per 100,000 population in the Metro East area, compared to a statewide rate of 267 offenses per 100,000 population. Between 2000 and 2007, the motor vehicle theft rate decreased 7 percent, from 386 to 360. Figure 1 shows the motor vehicle theft rate in Illinois and the Metro East area during this period. Between 1992 and 2007 motor vehicle thefts in the Metro East area decreased 8 percent, from 2,077 to 1,902. Between 2000 and 2007, motor vehicle thefts decreased from 1,990 to 1,902, or 4 percent. Data on the value of stolen vehicles are not available at the state or county level; however, the FBI estimates that the average value of a vehicle stolen in the United States in 2007, the most recent data available, was $6,755. Based on this value, the increase of 120 auto thefts in the Metro East area between 2006 and 2007, from 1,782 to 1,902, amounts to a ‘loss’ of more than $810,000.00. In 2007, the task force received a total of $699,978 in funding from the Illinois Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Trust Fund, and has recovered an estimate of $2,125,098 in stolen vehicles, cargo, and parts. Combining the recovery value ($2,125,098) with the loss from increased auto theft ($810,600), the task force has produced a $1,314,498 ‘return’ on its $699,978 in funding, a ‘return rate’ of $1.88 for every $1 of funding in 2007. |
Metro East Auto Theft Task Force
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This project was supported by a grant from the Illinois Motor
Vehicle Theft Prevention Council. The opinions and views
expressed in this report are not necessarily those of the
State of Illinois or the Illinois Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention
Council."
Vehicle Theft Prevention Council. The opinions and views
expressed in this report are not necessarily those of the
State of Illinois or the Illinois Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention
Council."
