Where You Live Is As Important As What You Drive

A motor vehicle is stolen in the United States every 33 seconds, according to the FBI. In 2008, most vehicles -- or 37.8 percent, were stolen in the South, followed by the West at 33.9 percent, the Midwest at 18.3 percent and the Northeast at 10 percent. But thefts are decreasing by about 12 percent year on year for the last five years.

"Thefts follow technology," said Scafidi. "Smart keys or digital security devices are playing a big part in the reduction."

Here are the latest car theft statistics from broken down by city and model.

Rank (by density)/ Metropolitan / Vehicles Stolen

1. Laredo, TX 1,792
2. Modesto, CA 3,712
3. Bakersfield, CA 5,530
4. Stockton, CA 4,479
5. Fresno, CA5,875
6. Yakima, WA1,525
7. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA 26,374
8. Visalia-Porterville, CA 2,440
9. Las Vegas-Paradise, NV 10,706
10. Albuquerque, NM 4,815
Source: Auto thefts by cities 2009; National Insurance Crime Bureau

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NOTE: Modesto, Bakerfied, Stockton, Fresno, and Visalia-Pottersville are all along US 99 that runs North and South.