Vehicle Theft –
The crime of vehicle theft occurs when a person drives or takes a vehicle of another person, without the consent of the owner thereof, with intent to either permanently or temporarily deprive the owner of title or possession of such vehicle

​

To arrest a subject for vehicle theft, the necessary crime elements include: 

• the driving or taking of 

• a vehicle not the person’s own

 • Without consent

10851 CVC Prohibits

The crime of vehicle theft is a felony.

Defining “Vehicle Theft” Under California Vehicle Code §10851

• A term of up to three (3) years in a state prison; OR,

• A fine of up to $10,000 (ten-thousand dollars); OR,

Both a fine and imprisonment!

Penalties For Vehicle Theft Under CVC §10851

Noncriminal explanations for missing vehicles

• “borrowed” by family members without the permission of the owners

 • used by another and the owners have forgotten that they gave permission 

• taken in conjunction with domestic disputes 

• repossessed by lending institutes without warning 

• in storage or impounded 

• misplaced (e.g., on a different street, in a large parking lot, within a parking garage)

As part of the preliminary investigation, officers responding to a call which involves a stolen vehicle must verify that a crime has actually taken place. Vehicles may be reported stolen when they actually are:

Unlawful false reports

Initial responding officers need to also be aware that a vehicle may be intentionally reported stolen in order to: 

• collect money fraudulently through insurance policy claims 

• cover up another offense (e.g., hit-and-run) NOTE: False report of a criminal offense is covered under Penal Code Section 148.5.

• engine compartment on the firewall

• far left of the dashboard (driver’s side)

• inside of the pillar post to the left of the driver

Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN)
A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is generally a 17-digit number that is unique to a vehicle and may be used to confirm specific ownership. On most domestic and foreign vehicles, the VIN is located: