New York Department of Motor Vehicle investigators recovered 286 stolen vehicles valued at nearly $8.6 million and another $152,000 in stolen auto parts in 2023. The recoveries are up 19 percent from the $7.3 million recovered in 2022, and a 67 percent increase from the $5.2 million recovered in 2021.
“Keeping New Yorkers safe is my top priority,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “I launched the Comprehensive Auto-Theft Reduction Strategy to support our law enforcement and protect New Yorkers from theft, and these investments are paying off.”
In addition to the 286 vehicles recovered, DMV investigators recovered 157 auto parts, nearly twice the number of parts recovered in 2022.
State and local data demonstrated that motor vehicle theft was the only crime category that increased in 2023. In New York City, motor vehicle thefts were up 15 percent year over year and 191 percent compared to the pre-pandemic baseline. Across the rest of New York, motor vehicle thefts increased 67 percent year over year in 2023 and 188 percent compared to the pre-pandemic baseline. Outside New York City, the most impacted areas of the State were Monroe and Erie counties. Almost two-thirds of motor vehicle thefts occurred in these two counties. Roughly 50 percent of all motor vehicle thefts occurred in two cities, Rochester and Buffalo.
Since the implementation of CARS in September 2023, motor vehicle thefts are down 50 percent in Rochester and down 45 percent in Buffalo compared to the prior four-month period. State data indicates there have been similar reductions in Monroe and Erie counties. New York State will continue to monitor the progress of this initiative, and provide whatever resources are needed to deter and prosecute automotive theft.
