The task force, which is governed by the Texas Automobile Theft Prevention authority in Austin, is funded by a state grant. The task force has made 672 arrests, filed 670 criminal cases and recovered 497 stolen vehicles with and estimated value of 5.37 million dollars. In September 1996 the ATPA included Orange County in the force's area of responsibility. An investigator from the Orange County District Attorney's Officer has been assigned to the unit to aid in reducing auto theft in this area of the region. The investigative branch of the task force targets auto theft at every level.
Emphasis is given to theft rings, street gang related auto thefts and repeat offenders.
Because many cars are stolen for their parts the unit developed a program to monitor, inspect and inventory local repair shops, salvage yards and used parts dealers. A major key to solving any problem is awareness. The task force is equipped with a full time crime prevention officer whose sole purpose is to use media campaigns and public presentations to better inform local communities of thr auto theft problem in their area and methods of auto theft prevention. The officer is available to give crime prevention presentations to civic groups upon request. To arrange a presentation for your group simply contact the task force at 842-6341.