Crime down overall in Lincoln, but auto theft has doubled in last five years

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Lincoln Police Department released its annual report Thursday morning.

Crime is down almost across the board, with 9,073 Part 1 crimes in 2023, the lowest number in the last 20 years.

Part 1 crimes include homicide, aggravated assault, rape, robbery, theft and arson.

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But auto theft is up dramatically.

It has more than doubled in the last five years, with 950 in 2023, compared with 432 in 2019.

Of the 950 reports of auto thefts last year, 217 were for attempted theft.

People left their car running in 1 out of 5 auto thefts, and 50% had left their keys in the car.

Also, 50% of all guns stolen last year were taken from vehicles.

Police Chief Michon Morrow thinks the spike in auto theft is due to a social media trend.

Online videos have exposed how easy it is to steal Kias and Hyundais made between 2011 and 2022 due to the lack of theft immobilizers.

SEE ALSO: $10,000 worth of items, including six guns, stolen in Lincoln vehicle break-in spree