MOTOR-CAE THEFTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19215, 2 January 1926, Page 11

MOTOR-CAE THEFTS.

INCREASE FOR THE YEAR. AVERAGE OF TWO A WEEK. COMBATING THE JOY-RIDER. SUPERVISED PARKING NEEDED. Motor-car thieving, or as the criminal law leniently terms it, "unlawful conversion," is on the increase in Auckland, and there was an average -of nearly two motor-car thefts a week during the year just closed. The police have done good work in tracing the culprits, and when a capture has been made the evidence has almost always earned a conviction. Wise legislation has mado tho sheeting home of the offence much easier. The statute making tho "borrowing" of a car an offence for which fines or imprisonment could be imposed, frustrated tho habitual joyridei who was often cunning enough to provide his own benzine, and so evade a theft charge. During tho year, nearly 100 motor-cars have been unlawfully converted to the uso nf tho joyrider, and not a few were recovered in a damaged condition. The ■lerious loss that can bo caused to tho owner of a car, merits for the offence of conversion the sternest punishment. Apart from tho financial loss to tho owner, consideration must bo given to the fact that legitimate users of the road have their safety jeopardised by cars in tho hands of irresponsible drivers. Task of the Detectives. The magistrates have ceclared that examples must bo made for the safety of limb and property. In some cases last year probation was granted, and in others whero there v-'as evidence of system or particular callousnu;«. terms of imprisonment ranging from one month to six months were imposed. Auckland is particularly fortunnS in possessing among its detectives one or two who axe well versed in tho methods of automobile thieves. The mars who loses his car seldom knows of tho exhaustive searches of dark streets and blind lanes A detective who specialises in tracing missing cars has frequently to scour tho city and suburban streets throughout tho night. Ho knows tho favourite haunts of those who try to concoal a car for a few days. Before giving up an all-night chaso he may have to satisfy liimsolf regarding tho movements of reputed or convicted thieves who are known to havo a penchant for motor-cars. It is seldom that a car can remain undiscovered in Auckland for more than a day or two. <• American Oars Popular. Tho recovery of the cars is easier than the detection of tho offender. The police of New Zealand have not yet becomo "motorised." It is obvious that a motorsquad will bp needed if car thefts go on increasing. A detectivo prosecuting a search, with the possibility of a chaso ensuing, is at a hopeless loss if he is on foot. In Auckland it ia found that the American car is favoured by tho joyrider. Daring the last few years there are only isolated examples of the car tfaiof choosing an English car, although English carci are notorious for absence of means of locking. Another curious thing is that the car thief is usually ambitious in his choice. The übiquitous Ford, obviously a hard car to trace, is rarely taken. Although possessing automobile tastsis and a tramcar income, the joyrider is not content with an unassuming car. Statistics show that the cars generally chosen are of good external appearance. The makes moiit popular with Auckland joyriders are the Chevrolet, Rugby, Buick and Dodge. Usually the unauthorised driver carries a switch-key, which will fit all cars of one make. A cumber of the offenders are young garage mechanics, whose boast is that they can obtain any car they wish from the workshop. To make good their boast with their girl friends ttiese youths arc tempted into driving a car off the street. Three Glasses of Thetts. It is certain the great majority of motorcars are " borrowed " for the delectation of young women. Again, there is a type of car thief with a little mechanical knowledge, whose offence follows on .1 drinking escapade. The third class is the confirmed criminal, who needs a car to facilitate a burglary. Of the last-named class, half-a-dozen were brought to book in 1525. The .skilled class of joyrider usually measures the benzine in the tank and adds more if necessary. Ho ,is careful enough to handle the car so tlfcat it will not run short of petrol where questions would be asked. Favourite places for abandoning stolen cars are Domain and the waterfront. The lock of precaution in parking cars in the city streets makes tho work of the joyrider easy. The majority of cars are equipped with ignition locks only. Car owners who hnvo no mechanical knowledge think thesa locks are a protection. As a matter of fact, they offer no difficulty to the expert thief. Youths who have been arrested for unlawfully converting cars have been found in possession of lengths of wire which serve to make tho connection broken by the switch-key. The gearbox lock is a proposition which baffles oven a motor mechanic, and there is no record of a car with a locked gear-lever being removed in Auckland. Unfortunately, not one driver in ten bothers to remove the key from the when parking tho car. Damage Done to Oars. The new type of green and white number plate with raised figures prevents tho car thief from substituting a bogus registration plate., The old type of plain, black and white plate was easy to manufacture, but strangely enough this was rarely attempted. Locally there have been a number of instances of plates being bodily removed from the car during tho period of " borrowing." The unauthorised joyrider invariably abuses the car of his choice, and cars are sometimes recovered with their engines seized up through several hours of racing with inadequate lubrication and cooling. The nocturnal thief may cover 100 miles at a wild pace over the worst country roads. Cars stolen at Welhngton and New Plymouth have been recovered in Auckland much the worse for their few days' trip. The unfortunate owner of a damaged car has usually to stand the loss. Several cars were extensively damaged at the hands of irresponsibles last year. A prominent doctor's car was wrecked in Manukau Road after a pursuit bv tho police, the thieves escaping from the urreckage. Another car was damaged'' to the extent of £45 at Devonport. A youth recently admitted joyriding in 13 cars, and two other youths admitted six joint charges. A trio of criminals now serving sentences used a stolen car for safe-blowing expeditions. Greater care on the parfj of carowners, and tho provision 01 sapervisied parking areas, would reduce the prevalence of the offence.