Skip to main content

There’s something strange happening with vehicle theft rates. The number of stolen vehicles spiked in the early 2020s and peaked in 2023. But it fell throughout 2024. In the first half of 2025, the number of stolen vehicles fell by another 23%. Car theft is down in 49 of 50 states. But not in Alaska. In fact, vehicle thefts are up 26% in Alaska.

For the most part, the news is good. The NICB reports, “49 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico reported fewer thefts in the first half of 2025.” The biggest decline was in Puerto Rico, at 43%. Washington state was close behind with a 42% decline.

NICB explains, “Alaska was the only state to report an increase in thefts, with a 26 percent rise, largely driven by theft trends in the Anchorage metropolitan area.”

Alaska’s auto theft rates haven’t been rising consistently. April and May saw a 30% drop, but overall theft rates are still double those of previous years. It’s not the only property crime Anchorage is struggling with: half of its utility substations were stripped of copper in the past year.

Best in News
Avatar photo
Staff Writer

Henry Cesari

Henry Cesari is a MotorBiscuit Staff Writer who brings his deep interest in vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles to the site. Henry covers Ford models daily, including the F-150. Having restored his first classic car at just 16 years old, Henry has wrenched on everything from overland campers to Japanese motorcycles and even pre-war Bugattis. He’s an avid attendee at local car shows and genuinely enjoys connecting with fellow auto enthusiasts. Henry earned a Bachelor’s in Anthropology and English from the University of Vermont.