If you’ve ever had your car stolen, you’ll be happy to learn that vehicle thefts in the Inland Empire and statewide are way down. Statistics released recently from the California Highway Patrol show that California recorded its second consecutive year of declining vehicle thefts in 2025 as the CHP continues working with local law enforcement agencies to fight vehicle theft.
In San Bernardino County, vehicle thefts dropped 23.3% last year, while they dropped 21.4% in Riverside County, according to the CHP. Here are the four counties that showed the biggest decline:
• Alameda County: 12,277 vehicle thefts, down 36.1% from 2024.
• Kern County: 4,258 vehicle thefts, down 31.4% from 2024.
• San Bernardino County: 7,759 vehicle thefts, down 23.3% from 2024.
• San Diego County: 8,023 vehicle thefts, down 25.7% from 2024.
CHP Capt. Lance Berns, commander of the San Bernardino area office, told On the Road that auto theft is a crime that often affects a family’s livelihood, and police interdiction is critical.
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“When a vehicle is stolen from someone, it affects their ability to go to and from work or school, pick up necessities from the grocery store, take loved ones to the hospital for medical emergencies, or simply go on a much-needed family outing,” Berns said. “The California Highway Patrol takes auto theft very seriously and will continue to uphold our commitment to the community by aggressively seeking out auto thieves and bringing them to justice.”
Overall, according to the CHP’s 2025 Vehicle Theft Fact Sheet, criminals stole 133,372 vehicles in California in 2025; this is about 25% fewer than the 176,230 stolen in 2024. Of the vehicles stolen last year, 84% were recovered and over half of those recovered vehicles were returned to their owners in drivable condition. The CHP said the rest were intentionally burned and/or wrecked, and stripped of parts. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department was among the top 10 law enforcement agencies that recovered the most stolen vehicles.
Most of the vehicle thefts statewide – about 55.8% – occurred in Southern California: in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego counties, with the lion’s share of those occurring in Los Angeles County.
The CHP says the decline in vehicle thefts continues a positive trend that began in 2024, when California recorded its first year-over-year decrease in vehicle thefts since 2019. The drop began in 2024 when CHP officers began working more with local law enforcement agencies in regional crime suppression operations.
Targeted enforcement in San Bernardino, Bakersfield and Oakland has especially reduced vehicle thefts as well as crime and gun violence overall in those areas, the CHP said. In August 2025, Gov. Gavin Newsom expanded the CHP crime-suppression operations.
So, which vehicles do thieves prefer? The top three stolen cars last year were the 2013 Hyundai Elantra, the 2015 Kia Optima and the 2013 Hyundai Sonata. (These vehicles are easier to steal because certain older Kias and Hyundais lack an immobilizer anti-theft system which makes vehicles manufactured by Hyundai and Kia easy to steal. If you have one of these model years, get a steering wheel lock.)
Chevrolet Silverado trucks with the model years 2001, 2002 and 2004 were the most commonly stolen trucks, and Hondas were the most commonly stolen motorcycle brand.
Vehicle theft prevention tips from the CHP:
• Park in well-lit areas.
• Remove valuables or keep them out of sight.
• Lock your vehicle every time you leave it.
• Use an alarm system or other anti-theft device.
• Never leave your vehicle unattended with the engine running.
• Report suspicious activity to law enforcement.
The CHP 2025 Vehicle Theft Fact Sheet data is compiled from the California Department of Justice, Stolen Vehicle System; the CHP’s Vehicle Theft Information System; and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Do you commute to work in the Inland Empire? Spend a lot of time in your vehicle? Have questions about driving, freeways, toll roads or parking? If so, write or call On the Road and we’ll try to answer your questions. Please include your question or issue, name, city of residence, phone number and email address. Write ontheroad@scng.com or call 951-368-9995. Note that we may use material from letters or phone calls in future columns.