In 1996, metropolitan areas experienced a vehicle theft rate of 1,223 per 100,000 population compared to a national rate of 526 per capita. Small cities, with less than 10,000 inhabitants, reported a car theft rate of 247 per 100,000 population and rural counties had a rate of only 126 per capita. Obviously, population density makes a difference in the auto theft rate, but the urban reality is that more cars are parked on the street or in open parking lots than in secured personal garages in suburban and rural settings. Also, the urban crush of cars makes it very difficult for the police to identify a recently stolen car from among the thousands of similar looking vehicles in traffic. The police will admit to getting lucky sometimes by recovering a recently stolen car because of a tail-light being out or when the car thief commits a minor traffic violation like speeding or failing to fully stop at a stop sign.
Auto theft is big business.
There are some large organized groups of car thieves that seemingly fill orders for a contract buyer. Some cars are stolen for shipment out of the country, especially to Mexico. Less inspired car thieves often steal cars as a lark or on a dare to joy ride. Some intend to personally drive or sell the stolen car to an associate after disguising the vehicle with new paint, plates, and wheels. Worst yet, your car may be used to commit another crime like an armed robbery or be used for a drive-by shooting.