Car thefts on the rise again in Prince William County in 2024

Max Marcilla
·2 min read

WOODBRIDGE, Va. (DC News Now) — A problem in Prince William County is continuing, as new data shared by the police department reveals that motor vehicle thefts are on the rise in 2024.

According to data Chief Peter Newsham shared with the Board of Supervisors, motor vehicle thefts increased from 575 to 892 from 2022 to 2023 — a 55% increase.

Prince William County Police Department (PWCPD) Public Information Officer Jonathan Perok told DC News Now those numbers include both attempted and successful thefts.

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Four of those cars stolen in 2023 were taken from Michigan Auto Group in Woodbridge. The shop’s owner, Ahmad Rahim, showed DC News Now surveillance video he posted on social media that shows multiple thieves breaking into the shop, then into the office, taking keys and four luxury cars. Rahim said the valued loss was in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

As far as why the problem has gotten worse, police point to several different explanations. Among them is an increase in crimes of opportunity, with more people leaving their keys in the car; and a TikTok challenge that has shown people — mainly young people — how to start and steal certain vehicles.

“At the end of the day, if they want to take the car, they’ll take it,” Rahim said.

Perok said two of the main reasons cars are stolen are joyriding and selling the car or its parts. However, he also warned of the potential that stolen cars could be used in additional crimes.

Last year in Prince William County, a then-18-year-old allegedly stole a car and then used it in an attempt to hit an officer. That suspect is facing an attempted aggravated murder charge. It’s unclear how he stole the car.

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Police are working with local dealers and utilizing teaching and steering wheel lock giveaways to help curb the problem.

Rahim said the biggest solution needs to come from the manufacturers.

“They hooked up a computer to the OBD port and they just drove away with the car in two minutes. A $6,000 car. It’s got to be the manufacturers,” he said.

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