Tucson dropped three spots in national auto theft rankings and is no longer listed among the top-10 worst cities for auto thefts, according to an analysis of crime statistics.
The analysis was conducted by the National Insurance Crime Bureau, a nonprofit group dedicated to combatting insurance fraud.
According to the report, Tucson was 13th for auto thefts last year. The metropolitan area had been ranked 10th in the nation the two previous years.
Tucson saw more than 6,400 auto thefts in 2008, nearly 7,800 thefts in 2007 and roughly 8,500 in 2006, according to the report.
Phoenix dropped from eighth in 2007 with more than 34,000 thefts to 19th last year with nearly 26,000 thefts. In 2006 Phoenix was fourth in the nation with nearly 40,000 automobiles stolen.
The report was developed from an analysis of nationwide crime statistics collected by the FBI and population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.
The Arizona Automobile Theft Authority attributed the drop in rankings to the increased use of “bait” cars and more communication between law enforcement agencies, among other reasons listed in a news release.
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Top 10 auto theft cities
1. Modesto, Calif. (*1)
2. Laredo, Texas (6)
3. Yakima, Wash. (9)
4. San Diego metro (3)
5. Bakersfield, Calif. (15)
6. Stockton, Calif. (4)
7. Las Vegas (2)
8. Albuquerque, N.M. (7)
9. San Francisco metro (5)
10. Fresno, Calif. (11)
13. Tucson (10)
19. Phoenix metro (8)
(*2007 Ranking)
Source: National Insurance Crime Bureau