ALBANY, N.Y.—The 2000 Honda Civic is again the most frequently stolen vehicle in New York State, according to data presented by the NY Insurance Association. The Hot Wheels 2010 study released by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) examines data reported to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and determines the vehicle make, model, and model year most reported stolen in 2009.

The study found that the 2000 Honda Civic topped the list of the most frequently stolen vehicles in New York State for the third year in a row.

In 2009, the most stolen vehicles* in New York State were : 1. 2000 Honda Civic

2. 1994 Honda Accord

3. 1996 Dodge Caravan

4. 1991 Toyota Camry

5. 1997 Nissan Maxima

6. 2005 Nissan Altima

7. 2009 Toyota Corolla

8. 1997 Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee

9. 2003 Ford Explorer

10. 1998 Plymouth Voyager

The most stolen vehicles* in the nation during 2009 were:

1. 1994 Honda Accord

2. 1995 Honda Civic

3. 1991 Toyota Camry

4. 1997 Ford F-150 Pickup

5. 2004 Dodge Ram Pickup

6. 2000 Dodge Caravan

7. 1994 Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)

8. 1994 Acura Integra

9. 2002 Ford Explorer

10. 2009 Toyota Corolla

There were 21,870 motor vehicle thefts in New York State in 2009, down 13 percent from 25,114 in 2008 according to the FBI.

“Motor vehicle theft continues to decline in New York State,” Ellen Melchionni, president of NYIA said. “But drivers still need to take prudent steps to prevent their vehicle from being stolen.”

*This report reflects only stolen vehicle data reported to NCIC in 2009. No further filtering of information is conducted, i.e., determining the total number of a particular make and model currently registered in the U.S. for comparison purposes.

 Carting Company Owner Charged

The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office arrested a carting company owner charged with cheating the New York State Insurance Fund out of more than $50,000 in an alleged case of worker’s compensation fraud. Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance charged Jarruth Duncan,44, with offering a false instrument for filing on September 20, 2010, following an investigation initiated by NYSIF’s Division of Confidential Investigations (DCI).

Investigators said Mr. Duncan, owner of Chesterfield Carting, Inc., in the Bronx allegedly underreported his payroll to avoid paying the proper premium on a workers’ compensation policy with NYSIF. Between July, 2006 and July, 2008 Duncan is alleged to have provided false information to NYSIF resulting in a loss of $52,115 in premium to the insurance carrier.

NYSIF received assistance in its investigation from the New York Insurance Department Frauds Bureau.

Criminal complaints and indictments are accusations only. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.