Anyone hear about license plate stealing?

[jeryst]

I heard that people are stealing license plates and putting them on their car, then filling up at service stations and driving off. Guess who the cops come to arrest? The person whose plate was stolen.

Most people dont check their license plate every day. Make it a habit, and report it instantly if yours is missing.

[GoodysGotaCuda]

heard about it on the radio not too long ago around here.

[hannah]

You hear of it happening around here pretty often and not just since the gasoline skyrocketed. Not only for getting free gas but also for committing crimes and using them on stolen vehicles

Last summer I was pulling into my back parking and two guys were stealing a plate from a car across the lane...I knew what they were doing but pretended I didn't see them...I am tough but not that tough and sure wasn't going to confront them alone. They got the plate and sped off

The sad thing is you get your plate stolen...YOU pay the cost of the new plate...this is not covered by any insurance coverage.

And great advice check your plate daily and report it ASAP ! 

[440WhiteBoy]

been happening for many years here in the Detroit area. Not to long ago, they used to cut out the sticker with tin snips before all the #'s matched up.

Now what they are up to ( in Detroit ) is using a Lazer copy machine for those Temp's - paper you see in the rear window -- only cost $20 - no questions asked -
the reason is they dont need insurance to buy --- like the rest of us who have to then go the the secreatary of state to get legal with full price.

then you get hit buy one of these guys, who then act like they are hurt to sue YOU and your Insurance company without even having any themselves -- a big Yea for Michigan for using NO - FAULT INS -

[BIGSHCLUNK]

Are you ready for this .... over the years I've had at least 5 plates stolen!!!  Afriend just had a sticker stolen about 2 weeks ago.

Finally I started using round headed / allen wrench type screws. Most thieves dont have an allen set!! As for stickers  - after I put them on I slice them with a razor in a crisscross pattern, so even if the grab a corner there getting a very small piece.   

[Carlwalski]

A simple solution and one I've been using on my cars for a few years now is Epoxy in the screw holes. Fill around the screw, it sets and the screw is set in place. It can be removed if wanted to but it's hard as hell and can't be done in 5-10minutes, they'll soon go on to the next car or be caught in the act, for a plate, they've move straight on, not worth the risk.

The Epoxy resin is clear and looks normal. Just make sure it's the plate you want lol. Mine are personalised plates, once purchased, they remain on. Getting them off is a little tricky and requires some skilled hacksaw work but like I said, easily done in your own time. Be sure to make sure it's the plates you want. No one will be stealing my plates.


 

[Street_Challenged73]

I heard about this about a month ago.  Someone was mentioning how people with non-locking gas caps had been getting siphoned dry and some member from West Virginia said that's nothing compared to what happened to him several weeks back.  Yeah, he had the cops show up at his front door questioning him as to why he didn't pay for the $$$ amount of fuel he just put in "his car".  It's really sad people are that much of a waste on society to steal someone's plate to commit such a crime.  I still need to get some different fasteners for my rear plate 'cause it would be very easy to pop my screw covers off and take out the two Phillips screws I have on there.

[hooD]

These thugs who steal should be shot on site.  They're no better than horse thieves.  Bring back the days of the wild wild west and serve justice with some lead. 

[JH27N0B]

I'm somewhat surprised to hear that people would do that. At least where I live (the Chicago suburbs) pretty much all the pumps seem to be "pay before pumping or credit card only" now, so driving off without paying wouldn't be possible.
Stealing stickers off plates was fairly common but I don't hear about it anymore.  I'm pretty sure IL changed the design of the stickers so that if you try to remove them they are permanently damaged.

[js27]

I jsut heard about them puncturing your gas tanks and drainning it empty in your driveway. Seems most newer car have plastic tanks so a sharp ice pick and bam a steady stream of silent gas comes out and your stuck with a bill for a new gas tank to boot.
Scum of the earth will always find a way.
They just better not make to much noise or I will have a surprize for them.
JS27

[Jacksboys]

I jsut heard about them puncturing your gas tanks and drainning it empty in your driveway. Seems most newer car have plastic tanks so a sharp ice pick and bam a steady stream of silent gas comes out and your stuck with a bill for a new gas tank to boot.

Another bad thing is that some of the Japanese cars have a bolt in the bottom of the tank and by using a metric wrench, you could drain a tank in a matter of minutes without leaving any evidence.

[arcticmopar]

 Have'nt heard of it up here yet but 13-15 years ago I did have my plate stolen.I was living in an apartment downtown and the challenger was sitting in the open but under a cover. I got a call from at work from the local DOT, my plate was found all crushed and bent up, I asked to he!! with the plate, what about the car? Well the car was fine ( I ran the two blocks to home) and they (and the police) never did find out anything.

[4Cruizn]

Its definitely a sad situation and we all need to be careful . .  or pay the price.