In March of 2018, Kevin Jameson, owner of Bio-One Fremont, found his truck was stolen during a period that saw over 40 trucks stolen in a 3 month period. Luckily, OnStar helped to locate the truck, but only after a fair amount of drugs were used in the cab. Kevin can confirm he was not alone in this experience.
Law enforcement experts have affirmed that stolen vehicles are often repurposed for various illicit activities by criminals. This includes drug consumption, which poses contamination risks and health hazards for anyone exposed to these vehicles. Here are some common ways stolen vehicles are exploited by criminals:
Transportation for Illegal Activities: Criminals often utilize stolen vehicles as a means of transportation for committing additional crimes, including robbery, burglary, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and contraband smuggling. The anonymity afforded by a stolen vehicle aids criminals in evading detection and executing illegal operations.
Resale on the Black Market: Some thieves target vehicles with the intent to sell them on the black market or to unsuspecting buyers. Stolen vehicles may be stripped for parts, which are then sold individually, or they may be given new identities through fraudulent documentation before being sold to unsuspecting individuals.
Chop Shop Operations: In chop shop operations, stolen vehicles are dismantled, and their components are sold separately for profit. Valuable parts like engines, transmissions, and electronics are removed and sold to consumers seeking cheaper alternatives to legitimate auto parts.
Joyriding and Street Racing: Stolen vehicles are sometimes taken for joyrides or used in illegal street racing activities. Joyriding involves driving stolen vehicles recklessly for excitement, often leading to property damage, accidents, or injuries to innocent bystanders.
Use in Other Crimes: Stolen vehicles may serve as getaway vehicles in the commission of other crimes, such as bank robberies, carjackings, or shootings. The mobility provided by a stolen vehicle enables criminals to quickly flee the scene of a crime and evade capture by law enforcement.
Temporary Shelter or Hideout: Homeless individuals or fugitives on the run may repurpose stolen vehicles as temporary shelters or hideouts to evade authorities or harsh weather conditions. Abandoned or stolen vehicles may be converted into makeshift living spaces or sleeping quarters.
Insurance Fraud: In instances of insurance fraud, criminals may stage vehicle thefts to file false insurance claims and receive payouts from insurance companies. Stolen vehicles may be abandoned or disposed of after the fraudulent claim has been processed.
Overall, criminals exploit stolen vehicles for a range of illegal activities, including transportation for further crimes, resale on the black market, chop shop operations, joyriding, and involvement in other criminal endeavors.
If your vehicle was recently recovered, Bio-One Fremont can assist in removing odors from cigarette and marijuana smoke, or body odor. They can also remove residue form methamphetamine. Once cleaned, Bio-One Fremont will provide you with a Certificate of Disinfection should you wish to sell your vehicle.
