For more information on motor vehicle theft prevention, visit www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/vehicle-theft-prevention. For additional resources, visit NICB.org.

The Fillmore Police Department would like to share some vehicle theft prevention information with our community from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is observing Vehicle Theft Prevention Month this July by calling attention to vehicle thefts as a nationwide issue and urging vehicle owners to take preventive steps to keep their vehicles safe.

Vehicle theft is a multi-billion-dollar industry in the United States, disrupting millions of vehicle owners’ lives — stripping them of their security and mobility. In 2024, 850,708 vehicles were stolen — representing a 17% decrease in vehicle theft totals from the previous year. Estimates show that approximately one vehicle is stolen every 37 seconds.

In 2024, these states had the most vehicle thefts, as provided by the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

1. California
2. Texas
3. Florida
4. Illinois
5. Washington
6. New York
7. Colorado
8. North Carolina
9. Ohio
10. Missouri

Passenger cars make up most of the stolen vehicles, and summer months have the highest reported occurrences of vehicle thefts in the United States. NHTSA urges vehicle owners to take these steps to keep their vehicles — and any valuables inside them — safe all the time. LOCK IT, HIDE IT, KEEP IT!
· Park in well-lit areas.
· Close and lock all windows and doors when parked.
· Hide valuables.
· Do not leave keys in the vehicle.
· Do not leave the area while vehicle is running.
· Consider purchasing extra layers of protection for a vehicle if the vehicle’s manufacturer does not provide an anti-theft system. These can easily be purchased online or in a store.

For more information on motor vehicle theft prevention, visit www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/vehicle-theft-prevention. For additional resources, visit NICB.org.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank members of the public for their on-going support and due diligence in providing information to assist our agency in solving crimes. We are better at what we do because of our community partnerships. Join us in the fight on crime by following us on “X” @fillmoresheriff, Facebook, Instagram @VCSHERIFF and @FILLMOREPD, and with Nixle by texting your zip code to 888777 to receive local law enforcement and public safety alerts and advisories.

Prepared by: Deputy Ramiro Rico
News Release Date: July 1st, 2025
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon
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Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).