Automobile Theft Prevention Authority Announces Q1 Arrests

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14 April 1998
Automobile Theft Prevention Authority Announces First Quarter Arrests

    MECHANICSBURG, Pa., April 14 -- The Pennsylvania Automobile
Theft Prevention Authority announced today that the efforts of their 12 auto
theft units across the commonwealth have netted 303 arrests for the first
quarter of 1998.  This is a 136% increase in arrests from the first quarter of
1997.  This substantial increase in arrests can be attributed to the increase
in both ATPA funded auto theft units (in 1997, there were 11 units) and
stepped up investigative efforts.  Prior to the existence of the ATPA, law
enforcement agencies did not have the manpower or resources to conduct
extensive investigations resulting in substantial arrests.
    The arrests involved individuals, groups, and some chop shop operations
where stolen cars are taken to be dismantled and sold for parts.  Automobile
thefts of all types cost Pennsylvanians over $300 million each year, according
to the 1996 Uniform Crime Report.
    The 12 investigative and prosecutorial units are funded by grants from the
ATPA who assesses insurance companies writing policies in Pennsylvania.  These
grants allow for dedicated units to investigate and prosecute thefts, and work
to prevent future thefts.  The increase in arrests from 1997 indicate that
unit efforts are paying off.  According to ATPA Executive Director Roy Miller,
"The successes of the ATPA auto theft units are evidence that dedicated
efforts to investigate, prosecute, and prevent auto thefts are making a
difference on several levels.  The awareness of auto theft arrest efforts and
stepped up prosecutions send a message to would-be auto thieves that the
potential for swift action is real.  Additionally, informing the public of the
arrests reminds everyone that auto thefts do happen and we should all work to
prevent thefts by using common sense methods such as locking our cars and
taking the keys."
    The ATPA's first quarter results were announced at a press conference held
today at the Pennsylvania State Police headquarters in Harrisburg.  The State
Police have an ATPA grant to fund investigative units in both eastern and
western Pennsylvania.  Their first quarter efforts resulted in 20 arrests.  In
attendance were State Police Lt. Colonel Joseph Westcott, ATPA Executive
Director Roy Miller, and Harrisburg City Police Corporal Craig LeCadre.
    The units involved in the arrests, and the number of arrests for each are:

    The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office - 2 (working jointly with the
State Police), The Philadelphia Police Department - 182; Western Region State
Police - 13; Eastern Region State Police - 7; Cumberland County District
Attorney's Office - 11; Millcreek Township (Erie) Police - 12; Lehigh County
District Attorney's Office - 12; Northeast PA Regional Task Force - 7;
Pittsburgh Police Dept. - 3; Harrisburg Bureau of Police - 40; Delaware County
District Attorney's Office - 14.
    (NOTE:  All figures are for January 1, 1998 - April 10, 1998 and are
compiled by each investigative unit.)

    The Pennsylvania Automobile Theft Prevention Authority was established in
1994 through a unanimous vote of the state legislature.  The authority is
funded through insurance company assessments (no taxpayer dollars are used)
which are in turn granted to investigative and prosecutorial units across the
Commonwealth to actively fight automobile theft.  For more information on how
to fight automobile theft, call the ATPA at 1-888-777-ATPA (2872).
    For more information on the first quarter arrests, or the ATPA, please
contact Sara McLin, ATPA public relations director at 717-975-9074.

SOURCE  Pennsylvania Automobile Theft Prevention Authority