YPD reports over 200 car thefts this year

How to protect your vehicle

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - This weekend the Yuma Police Department (YPD) will host a window VIN etching event.

A VIN is an identification number that’s unique to every vehicle.

YPD Sergeant Lori Franklin says thieves are lazy, so it’s important for car owners to do whatever they can to make it harder for your car to be stolen.

So far this year YPD has reported more than 200 vehicle thefts in the city.

In Arizona, auto theft has become a transnational crime, making it less likely for stolen cars to be recovered.

Sgt. Franklin said, “We are so close to another country, it is very easy for [thieves] to take the vehicle and take it across the border. Usually, it's striped and probably damaged by that time” 

That was the situation Juan Ramirez was in on Tuesday morning after his car was stolen in front of his home in Somerton.

Ramirez said, “I was already running a little late to go to work and I go outside and there’s no car. I was pretty heartbroken. It was a car that I had recently been working on.”

Ramirez not only reported his stolen 1999 white Honda Civic to the Somerton Police Department but out of desperation, he turned to Facebook for help.

Three hours later, his car was found abandoned on the side of Giss Parkway.

Ramirez knows he's lucky.

Now he plans to do more to protect his car from thieves.

“Maybe getting a removable steering wheel or maybe putting on of those steering locks with a key. Definitely, for sure that's what I'm going to do because I don’t want that to happen again to the car,” he said.

Another way to protect your vehicle is by getting the VIN number etched on your windows.

YPD says it’s another fingerprint of your vehicle in the event of theft.

YPD's free window VIN etching event is Saturday, November 9 in the Target parking lot at the Yuma Palms Mall.

They'll be there from 9 am to 2 pm.

Drivers must bring proof of insurance.