Auto theft is trending downward in Auburn

Published 11:30 am Friday, April 17, 2026

Auto theft numbers are down in Auburn, with numbers below pre-pandemic levels, and the Auburn police chief cites changes in state law as a possible reason why.

According to data the Auburn Reporter obtained through a public records request, auto thefts in Auburn peaked in 2023 at 1,542 auto theft reports, then hit a record low — since 2019 — of 451 auto theft reports in 2025.

2019: 574 theft reports, and 696 vehicles recovered in Auburn.

2020: 697 theft reports, and 877 vehicles recovered in Auburn.

2021: 902 theft reports, and 1,293 vehicles recovered in Auburn.

2022: 1,205 theft reports, and 1,736 vehicles recovered in Auburn.

2023: 1,542 theft reports, and 1,858 vehicles recovered in Auburn.

2024: 932 theft reports, and 1,191 vehicles recovered in Auburn.

2025: 451 theft reports, and 490 vehicles recovered in Auburn.

Auburn Police Department (APD) Chief Mark Caillier said the department continues to do what it can to address auto theft, but enforcement is only one part of the effort. Caillier said that APD continues pushing for greater accountability measures, whether through legislation changes or prosecution, to provide accountability that helps deter auto theft and other activities like it.

“The greater deterrent measures we can take will greatly reduce the desire for criminals to engage in this type of behavior, especially if they have a greater risk of losing their freedom,” Caillier said. “Our enforcement strategy is to arrest those responsible for these crimes, conduct the best investigation we can, then rely on the other portions of the criminal justice system to do their part to hold suspects accountable.”

Caillier said one theory for why auto theft was the highest in 2023 is that, despite APD always having a restrictive pursuit policy, when state legislation took away officers’ ability to pursue stolen vehicles, it removed the deterrent of officers being able to arrest someone if they were found in a stolen vehicle. In 2021, state legislation limited officers’ ability to pursue vehicles, but that legislation was modified in 2024, making it easier for officers to pursue vehicles.

Caillier said changes to pursuit laws brought back at least the threat of arrest for someone found in a stolen vehicle.

“All they had to do was drive away and there was very little law enforcement could do to stop them,” Caillier said. “No accountability translated to more criminal activity.”

To actively mitigate auto thefts, Caillier said APD contracted with Flock Safety to utilize its stationary automatic license plate readers, which alert officers when stolen vehicles enter Auburn. Caillier said the automatic license plate readers allow for a coordinated response to locate and recover stolen vehicles and, ideally, arrest suspects. He added that the chances of a criminal getting caught in a stolen vehicle increased greatly with the use of automatic license plate readers, so he hopes that makes Auburn a less desirable location to steal cars from or to drive stolen cars into.

“APD detectives also interview suspects who are caught with stolen vehicles and are very good about soliciting information about where vehicles are being stolen, why particular vehicles are more likely to be stolen and what they do with the vehicles they have stolen in the past,” Caillier said. “This helps to give the public more tips on how to reduce the likelihood they will be victimized.”

For how auto theft numbers are looking so far in 2026, Caillier said official numbers are not out yet, but APD believes the trend is continuing downward.

Regarding how Auburn residents can reduce the likelihood of being victimized, Caillier said vehicle alarms and “club” type devices to secure steering wheels are effective tools. He said that leaving vehicles in well-lighted areas and not leaving valuables inside also reduces the chances of being victimized.

Caillier said that to people who have been victims of auto theft, he would tell them that the majority of stolen vehicles are recovered fairly quickly. He suggest people provide as much information about a vehicle as possible to officers and leave good contact information with officers so they can contact them if their vehicle is located.

“If the case is prosecuted, be willing to assist and testify if necessary, so that the suspect can be held accountable,” Caillier said. “If they are not held accountable, there is no deterrent for them to continue victimizing others.”