Fewer cars are being stolen from Arizona streets and highways this year. But the ones that are missing mostly come from Phoenix, Glendale, and Tucson.
That's according to a database compiled by the Arizona Automobile Theft Authority.
It shows a 20 percent decrease in car theft statewide halfway through 2025. Tucson ranks third behind Phoenix and Glendale in the number of stolen cars.
Statistics show most cars are stolen in Tucson from the 85705 zip code. A map shows a second high theft location north of the Tucson International Airport.
The database indicates the most popular vehicle for Arizona thieves is the Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck, followed by the Hyundai Elantra sedan and the Kia Soul SUV.
A 2023 NPR report described how easy it is for thieves to steal Hyundai and Kia vehicles by opening the steering column and inserting a USB cable to start the car like a key.
Four of the five places where most stolen vehicles in Arizona are recovered are in central and south Phoenix. The fifth is in Nogales.
