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'To Catch a Car Thief'

Posted: Tuesday, April 10, 2007 1:43 AM by Dateline Editor
Filed Under: ,

With more than a million cars being stolen each year-- one every 30 seconds according to experts-- insurance rates are rising in this country because this lucrative crime has proven to be difficult for investigators to solve.

In attempt to get stolen cars back to the owners and put a dent into their community's auto theft rate, the Houston Police Department set up a fencing operation in which undercover policeman pose as criminals who buy cars and other contraband.

They allowed "Dateline" to come along and capture it all on their hidden cameras.  "To Catch a Car Thief," airing on Tuesday, April 10 (8:00 pm/et), offers viewers a rare glimpse into the world of undercover cops with its dangers and disappointments, risks and rewards.

Victoria Corderi goes undercover with the Houston Police Department and then confronts the men caught in fencing operation.

Airs tonight, April 10, Dateline NBC at 8 p.m./7 C. For a list of cars most likely stolen, click here. For some tips on how to protect yourself and your vehicle, click here.

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Comments

Where's Mr. Chris? Can we at least get some sort of confirmation of his status with this series and if he will be involved with future "To Catch a.." investigations?

Steve Arms (Sent Tuesday, April 10, 2007 10:12 AM)

wheres chris hansen? it wont be the same...

susan banks,elk grove . ca (Sent Tuesday, April 10, 2007 1:37 PM)

My car got stolen from in front of my own house. It was an extra car that was rarely used. I think someone in the neighborhood was watching it. Creepy.

Danny, Houston, TX (Sent Tuesday, April 10, 2007 5:14 PM)

My girlfriends car got stolen last week and it was 23yrs old. They found it stripped to the frame the next day! Not even 24hrs........They caught it on tape it took less then 2 minutes to steal outside her job.

J.R., Houston, Texas (Sent Tuesday, April 10, 2007 8:45 PM)

Good Job Dateline and Detectives. Always great to see the bad guys busted. Such a shame though - you could do these stings around the clock and still be way behind in ever putting it to a stop. Your show makespeople aware of what really goes on.Keep it up!

Bonnie,Shepherdsville, Kentucky (Sent Tuesday, April 10, 2007 9:05 PM)

Will this show re-air anytime????

karen (Sent Tuesday, April 10, 2007 9:06 PM)

The only way to not get you car stolen is park it in the garage thats the only safe place for your car and always have a kill switch in you car so you car can be stolen and if you park your car in the garage thief will not know if you home or not and you can catch the thief geting in you house

Nguyen ,dallas ,texas (Sent Tuesday, April 10, 2007 9:10 PM)

this was a very good program. i thought it was very eye opening.

Erin, Chicago, IL (Sent Tuesday, April 10, 2007 9:10 PM)

This is where America is going all wrong. New motto...(steal someones charm, lose your arms) They were caught red handed. Their excuses make me sick. Saying they were just driving. (Ha) These hoodlums need their arms removed. Not sentenced to years of prison at the cost of the rest of us.

Ben-jam-in (Sent Tuesday, April 10, 2007 9:14 PM)

My Lexus was almost stolen right in front of my eyes in a Kroger parking lot in Houston, Texas. I pulled into a parking space and as I emerged from my car a Hispanic man in an old beat up vehicle pulled in back of my car, looked at me and the car and started laughing. I ignored him and proceeded to the Walgreens in the same center. As I came out of Walgreen's I noticed a red tow truck in back of my car. I proceeded to my car, popped the trunk and threw in my medicine and proceeded to walk into Krogers. The tow truck driver followed me into the store, watching to see if I picked up a shopping cart. Instead I went to the bank within the store. Now he got bold. He went to his tow truck and proceeded to position it to tow my Lexus. However, as he was proceeding to position his truck, he didn't see me return to my car and get in. Next he pulled next to me and saw me in the car. I went home and suddenly realized what would have transpired. I called the Houston police and the police said I should have called them and they would have responded and asked what they were doing. It is a good thing I did not realize what could have transpired, because I would have started yelling at them.

Diana, Houston, Texas (Sent Tuesday, April 10, 2007 9:22 PM)

I am unable to see the list of favorite stolen cars you said was posted on the web.

Curious One (Sent Tuesday, April 10, 2007 9:31 PM)

will it ever ever... stop car thef to see ins rates go down do to just on car thief in the u.s. WHEN. ANTHONY,bklyn,n.y.

anthony bklyn,n.y. (Sent Tuesday, April 10, 2007 9:35 PM)

"IT'S JUST NOT THE SAME"!!!!! It's just not the same without Chris. I got so used to seeing Chris every Tuesday night that I miss him tonight. :( Only he can report the way he reports, as he's so good at it. Dateline is just not the same without him. I can't make musical notes with my computer but I am singing this next sentance. "Oh where oh where did Chris Hansen go?????" LOL :))

Jackie Smith Reno, NV (Sent Tuesday, April 10, 2007 11:16 PM)

Good Report. I think its about time for more bait cars on the streets. My tips: Protect your cars keys.. keep them in a safe(make sure its bolted to the ground) at all times or hide it in the laundry room. I'm recommending people to take photographs or collect fingerprints of everyone who you do business with. Also always lock your car when you at a gas station. This will definitely reduce the chance of you being a victim.

Freddy (Sent Wednesday, April 11, 2007 12:20 AM)

I particularly enjoyed this episode of ‘To Catch a Thief.’ However, I would have liked to see more on the nature or motives behind these crimes; revealing the potential causes or other situational factors at play. Perhaps in this particular case key factors may actually be rooted in socio-economic status. I’m a firm believer that in order for a society to begin to resolve criminal activities, we must first understand both sides of the equation. Might we see a part 2 shortly?

Nathan W. (Sent Wednesday, April 11, 2007 12:20 AM)

I particularly enjoyed this episode of ‘To Catch a Thief.’ However, I would have liked to see more on the nature or motives behind these crimes; revealing the potential causes or other situational factors at play. Perhaps in this particular case key factors may actually be rooted in socio-economic status. I’m a firm believer that in order for a society to begin to resolve criminal activities, we must first understand both sides of the equation. Might we see a part 2 shortly?

Nathan W., Alberta, Canada (Sent Wednesday, April 11, 2007 12:21 AM)

I do not see where it says the most likely car to be stolen as advertised on your show toight.

Carl VanGundy (Sent Wednesday, April 11, 2007 12:26 AM)

Hello. The list of cars most likely to be stolen was on the front the site underneath the main photo. For those still looking for it, click here:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18030792/

 

Dateline Editor (Sent Wednesday, April 11, 2007 12:35 AM)



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