Big drop in auto theft in Snohomish County; reasons are many

EVERETT — There were 583 fewer vehicle thefts in Snohomish County in 2015 but it is hard to pinpoint exactly why.

Detectives believe the drop is due to a combination of factors, including crime-prevention education efforts, media coverage and aggressive prosecutions that have placed some of the region’s most prolific car thieves behind bars and off the street.

“We put a lot of people in prison in 2015,” said Terry Haldeman, a sheriff’s detective with the multi-agency Snohomish County Auto Theft Task Force.

Sentences get longer for repeat offenders under state law and many of the car thieves sent away had previous records. Some were believed responsible for stealing hundreds of cars.

“There is not a lot of wiggle room,” Haldeman said. “People are seeing real time.”

The average prison term for car thieves arrested by the task force in 2015 was three years, although many of the defendants also were convicted of other crimes, such as drug possession, eluding police and illegally possessing firearms that contributed to the length of their sentences.

The number of auto thefts in the county dropped from 3,289 reported stolen vehicles in the county in 2014 to 2,706 last year.

The county mirrored the state last year. Across Washington, the number of car thefts dropped 14 percent to 24,561 in 2015, according to the Washington Auto Theft Prevention Authority.

The task force continued to see familiar motives behind thefts. They dismantled chop shops where stolen cars are stripped for parts while tracking down people who were stealing cars just to get from one point to another.

“Nothing has really changed,” Haldeman said. “We are still running the gamut.”

The majority of cases are driven by the drug trade, especially heroin addiction, Haldeman said.

The task force also recovered 18 pieces of stolen heavy machinery worth more than a half million dollars.

The most popular cars to steal across the state remain 1990s-era Hondas and Toyotas because they are among the easiest to break into, according to a 2014 report.

Technology also could lead to reductions in car thefts in the future because newer vehicles carry more sophisticated antitheft technology, the National Insurance Crime Bureau reported.

Experts in auto theft prevention say people should not leave valuable items in their cars and need to make sure they lock the car doors.

“What we are seeing is crimes of opportunity,” Haldeman said.

Thieves might be looking for laptops or other electronics and end up driving off with the car.

“They will be prowling one car in the driveway and find the keys for it in the car sitting next to it,” Haldeman said.

Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446; stevick@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Irene Pfister, left, holds a sign reading “Justice for Jonathan” next to another protester with a sign that says “Major Crimes Needs to Investigate,” during a call to action Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Arlington. (Aspen Anderson / The Herald)
Arlington community rallies, a family waits for news on missing man

Family and neighbors say more can be done in the search for Jonathan Hoang. The sheriff’s office says all leads are being pursued.

Jury awards $3.25M in dog bite verdict against Mountlake Terrace

Mountlake Terrace dog was euthanized after 2022 incident involving fellow officer.

Northshore School District Administrative building. (Northshore School District)
Lawsuit against Northshore School District reaches $500,000 settlement

A family alleged a teacher repeatedly restrained and isolated their child and barred them from observing the classroom.

Everett City Council on Wednesday, March 19 in Everett, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Everett council to vote on budget amendment

The amendment sets aside dollars for new employees in some areas, makes spending cuts in others and allocates money for work on the city’s stadium project.

Bryson Fico, left, unloaded box of books from his car with the help of Custody Officer Jason Morton as a donation to the Marysville Jail on Saturday, April 5, 2025 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Books behind bars: A personal mission for change

Bryson Fico’s project provides inmates with tools for escape, learning and second chances.

Everett
Everett man, linked to Dec. 31 pipe bomb, appears in federal court

Police say Steven Goldstine, 54, targeted neighbors with racial slurs and detonated a pipe bomb in their car.

Everett City Council on Wednesday, March 19 in Everett, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Everett council approves budget amendment for staffing, stadium funding

The amendment budgets for some new employees and costs for the city’s multipurpose stadium project.

A SoundTransit Link train pulls into the Mountlake Terrace station as U.S. Representative Rick Larsen talks about the T&I Committee’s work on the surface reauthorization bill on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Larsen talks federal funding for Snohomish County transit projects

U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Everett) spoke with Snohomish County leaders to hear their priorities for an upcoming transit bill.

A damaged vehicle is seen in the aftermath of a June 2024 crash in Thurston County, in which the driver of another vehicle was suspected of speeding and driving under the influence. (Photo courtesy of Thurston County Sheriff Office)
Washington Senate passes bill to require speed limiting devices for habitual speeders

The state Senate passed a bill Tuesday attempting to stop habitual speeders… Continue reading

A student walks down a hallway at Evergreen Middle School past a sign displaying different values the students should embody while occupying the space on a 2024 school day in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Washington takes ‘historic’ step toward full funding for special education

The House passed a Senate bill that ditches a cap on the flow of state dollars to school districts.

Adopt A Stream invites volunteers to plant trees along Quilceda Creek

The Tulalip Tribes and the Adopt A Stream Foundation will… Continue reading

Snohomish County Council member offers new proposal for habitat ordinance

Jared Mead wrote an amendment as an attempt to balance environmental concerns and housing needs.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.