Antioch Has 514 Vehicle Thefts Year-to-Date in 2024

Antioch residents have experience 514 vehicle thefts year-to-date within the City of Antioch according to data by the Antioch Police Department.

Year-to-date, Antioch leads Contra Costa County in vehicle thefts, surpassing the City of Richmond and City of Concord who are both comparable to population sizes.

According to latest population figures: 

• 121,513 – City of Concord
• 115,632 – City of Antioch
• 112,735 – City of Richmond

Vehicle Theft Data from Around Contra Costa County:

• 499 – City of Antioch
• 395 – City of Richmond
• 235 – City of Concord
• 199 – City of Pittsburg
• 112– City of San Pablo
• 54 – City of Brentwood
• 49 – City of El Cerrito
• 42 – City of Oakley
• 41 – City of Martinez
• 34 – City of Pleasant Hill
• 34 – City of San Ramon
• 27 – City of Walnut Creek
• 21 – City of Pinole

Vehicle Thefts reported between Jan 1 – April 30, 2024.

In 2023, the California Highway Patrol said there was a 2.1% increase in vehicles stolen with 202,802 stolen vehicles at an estimated $1.8 billion—1 vehicle every 2:36 minutes. Of the 202,802 vehicles stolen in 2023, 44.2 percent were personal trucks and sport utility vehicles (SUV), 41 percent were automobiles, 5.8 percent were commercial trucks and trailers, and 4.3 percent were motorcycles. All other vehicles (e.g., recreational vehicles, construction and farm equipment, special construction) accounted for 4.7 percent of thefts

In 2023, for the second time, the top three stolen automobiles were:

1.  2015 Kia Optima
2. 2000 Honda Civic
3. 1998 Honda Civic

For the third consecutive year, the Chevy Silverado remained a vehicle of choice for thieves who continued targeting personal trucks/SUVs, specifically model years 2001, 2002, 2006, and 2004, which ranked one, two, and three, respectively

Last summer Antioch City Councilmember Mike Barbanica had called for both CHP and the Contra Costa County Sheriff to assist the Antioch Police Department. He made multiple calls for assistance which received a lukewarm response from his fellow councilmembers. By late fall, Assemblyman Tim Grayson and Senate Steve Glazer also chimed in requesting assistance for the City of Antioch which has had its police force decimated by years of FBI and local investigations.

On Wednesday, Barbanica renewed his call for CHP and Contra Costa County Sheriff to come in and assist the Antioch Police Department and called for an expedited task force to help Antioch resolve not only stolen vehicles, but overall crime issues.

“I am calling on the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office to start prosecuting these individuals as law enforcement across the county comes across stolen vehicle thieves. It does us no good to send officers out to track individuals unless we are serious about prosecution,” said Barbanica.

The California Highway Patrol has these tips to help you avoid thefts:

Always:

• Always lock your vehicle.
• Always utilize anti-theft devices.
• Always park your vehicle in a well-lighted area at night.
• Always make sure you receive an ownership certificate when purchasing a used vehicle.

Never:

• Never leave your keys in your vehicle.
• Never hide a spare ignition key on the vehicle.

More theft protection tips:

• Install an audible alarm system.
• When possible, park your vehicle in a secure garage.
• Beware of your surroundings prior to leaving your vehicle.
• Access the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System at vehiclehistory.gov or through a third party like CarFax to check a car’s VIN before you purchase it. Learn more about NMVTIS with these videos in English and Spanish.

Related

• Feb 24, 2024 – Antioch Residents Hit With 220 Stolen Vehicles So far in 2024
• April 20, 2023 – AG Bonta Leads States Calling for Recall of Theft-Prone Hyundai and Kia Vehicles