The California Highway Patrol’s 2025 Vehicle Theft Fact Sheet reports that thefts decreased in both Tulare County and the state in 2025.
Thieves stole more than 133,000 vehicles in California in 2025, with vehicle thefts happening at the rate of about one every four minutes. The estimated total value of stolen vehicles in 2025 was $1.2 billion.
While the numbers indicate a serious problem, they also show a positive trend. Vehicle thefts decreased by 24.3% statewide from 2024, when 176,230 were stolen.
Tulare County saw an even larger decline in vehicle thefts. There were 1,196 vehicles stolen in the county in 2025, one third less than 2024, when 1,807 were stolen.
The decline continues a positive trend that began in 2024, when California recorded its first year-over-year decrease in vehicle thefts since 2019. That year, CHP officers were deployed to work with local law enforcement agencies in regional crime suppression operations. Those operations were expanded last year with additional teams sent to high-crime areas across the state.
Which vehicles are most targeted by thieves in California?
About 43.2% of vehicles stolen in California were personal trucks and SUVs, 37.3% were automobiles, 6.9% were commercial trucks and trailers, and 4.7% were motorcycles. Other vehicles, including recreational vehicles, and construction and farm equipment accounted for 7.9% of thefts.
The top three most stolen automobiles in 2025 were: 2013 Hyundai Elantra, 2015 Kia Optima, and 2013 Hyundai Sonata.
The Chevrolet Silverado was the most stolen truck/SUV in 2025, especially model years 2001, 2002 and 2004.
Honda Motorcycle model years 2023 and 2022 ranked No. 1 and No. 2 for motorcycle thefts, while Yamaha 2024 ranked third.
The most popular commercial trucks among thieves were Freightliner trucks, model years 2019, 2016 and 2020.
John Deere farm equipment has been the top brand of stolen farm equipment every year since 2008, and Bobcat Company equipment has been the top brand of stolen construction equipment for three straight years.
Of the 133,372 vehicles stolen statewide in 2025, 111,661 or 84% were recovered. In Tulare County, 1,558 vehicles were recovered in 2024 and 1,062 were recovered in 2025.
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This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Vehicle thefts decline significantly in Tulare County
Reporting by Steve Pastis, Visalia Times-Delta / Visalia Times-Delta
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Steve Pastis, Visalia Times-Delta | USA TODAY Network
