Vehicle thefts in Manteca increased for the third consecutive year in 2023.

There were 317 vehicles stolen last year.

That is up 20 percent from 265 in 2022.

There were 221 vehicle thefts in 2021.

The last three years are a far cry from 2005.

That’s when thieves were stealing a vehicle in Manteca every 10.9 hours for a record 798 vehicles in one year.

That nose bleed number included one big rig left idling in front of a Manteca home and a Manteca Police patrol unit.

The No. 1 theft cars in Manteca are pre-2021 Kias and Hyundais.

That’s because they do not contain an “immobilizer” inside of the steering column. Thieves can use items other than the key that comes with the car to start it – making it incredibly easy to drive away with the vehicle once a thief gains entry.