More signs that organized crime is involved in auto theft: IBC

The 2000 Honda Civic made the top of Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC)’s annual list of most stolen vehicles.
However, the addition of high-end vehicles such as the Cadillac Escalade to the list reflects the increasing involvement of organized crime in auto theft, the IBC says.
“We’re seeing two very different forms of auto theft,” IBC vice president of investigations Rick Dubin says. “One type of thief is just looking for a car that’s easy to steal, with no approved anti-theft electronic immobilizer — a car that can be used for transportation, stripped for parts or used to commit other crimes.
“The other type of thief goes after newer, high-end vehicles. Although these are harder to steal, sophisticated organized crime rings can make a strong profit by shipping them overseas, chopping them for parts or changing their vehicle identification numbers (VINs) and selling them to unsuspecting consumers.”
The IBC’s 2010 list of Top 10 stolen vehicles is:
1.  2000 Honda Civic SiR 2-door
2.  2003 Cadillac Escalade ESV 4-door AWD
3.  1999 Honda Civic SiR 2-door
4.  2006 Chevrolet/GMC Trailblazer SS 4-door 4WD
5.  2002 Cadillac Escalade EXT 4-door AWD
6.  2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV 4-door AWD
7.  1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder 2-door
8.  2000 Audi S4 Quattro 4-door
9.  2006 Hummer H2 4-door AWD
10. 2005 Cadillac Escalade 4-door 4WD