Auto Thefts in Ohio Drop by Nearly 10 Percent

The insurance industry says tracking devices and other measures to foil car thieves are working in Ohio, based on FBI data showing a nearly double-digit decline in auto thefts.

A new report from the Ohio Insurance Institute shows vehicle thefts fell 9.6 percent between 2005 and 2006 as the state followed a nationwide downward trend. Still, Ohio ranked ninth among the worst states for stolen cars.

The institute says one out of every 44 registered vehicles was swiped last year in Cleveland, the Ohio city with the highest risk of car thefts. Dayton was second and Youngstown third.

Akron saw the largest increase in thefts, up 30.6 percent in 2006.

Mansfield enjoyed the biggest decline, as vehicle thefts dropped 63.2 percent compared with 2005.