Cleveland, Toledo, Columbus among top 100 cities for cars stolen

Thefts down in U.S., Ohio

6/21/2011
BLADE NEWS SERVICES

COLUMBUS — Three places in Ohio are among the 100 U.S. cities with the worst car theft problems.

A report released Tuesday by the National Insurance Crime Bureau shows Cleveland ranks 82nd, with just over 271 vehicles stolen in 2010 for every 100,000 residents.

Cleveland's standing has improved from two years ago, when it ranked 62nd.

The report shows Toledo had the nation's 84th highest rate of auto thefts last year, and Columbus was the No. 99 city.

Thefts were down nationwide for the seventh consecutive year. The Ohio Insurance Institute says in a news release that car thefts were down in most Ohio metro areas.

Among U.S. cities car thefts were most prevalent last year in Fresno, Calif. Modesto, Calif., was second.