Jeep Cherokees were the vehicles reported most often stolen on ASU campuses in 2004, according to preliminary statistics released by the ASU Department of Public Safety.
The Dodge Neon occupied the No. 1 spot on Tempe's most stolen vehicle list and tied for second with the Acura Integra on a list compiled from the preliminary DPS numbers.
Among vehicle makes, Dodge vehicles were reported most often stolen last year in Tempe and on other ASU campuses.
The DPS statistics included 145 reports of auto theft, including cases that were later classified as unfounded. DPS is still in the process of removing unfounded cases from its crime totals. Because of federal reporting requirements, final numbers will include cases of attempted theft.
Tempe police received 2,411 reports of motor vehicle theft in 2004. That number is 10.7 percent lower than the number of auto thefts reported in 2003, but is still 21 percent higher than the number reported five years ago.
DPS has not yet reported its final auto theft total for 2004, crime prevention specialist Stewart Adams said.
DPS set out unmanned patrol cars to discourage theft and used a bait car in an attempt to catch car thieves in the act.
Adams said Structure 5, Lot 59 and Structure 4 are among the locations on the Tempe campus with the highest number of recent auto thefts.
Despite higher rates of theft in campus locations and of certain vehicle models, Adams said ultimately thieves target "the easiest car to steal."
He said a vehicle's door and ignition comprise the two main barriers to theft. Vehicles with security features embedded in these areas take longer to steal and are less attractive targets for thieves.
In newer vehicles, sometimes no extra effort is required on the part of the driver for these security features to take effect.
"I just lock it," said secondary education junior Mike Davitt of his 2002 Mazda Miata. A device called an immobilizer keeps Davitt's car from starting unless it senses the presence of a computer chip embedded in his key.
"The immobilizer is pretty sweet," Davitt said.
Communication junior Michele Grace said she wasn't especially concerned about theft on campus. But she added that her vehicle is equipped with a security system.
"I have a Python alarm system that'll beat your ass if you touch it," she said. "It's the one they use on 'Pimp My Ride.'"
Anti-theft devices like The Club and other steering wheel-locking mechanisms can also make vehicles unattractive to thieves, Adams said.
He advised drivers to park at the ends of rows, on the lower levels of parking structures and close to light poles whenever possible because thieves are more likely to strike in isolated or poorly lit areas.
"The thief doesn't want to be seen," he said.
Also, keeping possessions under a seat or in the trunk can make a car less attractive to thieves.
"If [a thief] looks in a car and sees a lot of things ... that he can sell quickly, he'll break in just to get that," Adams said.
Reach the reporter at brian.indrelunas@asu.edu.
