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National Crime Victimization Survey - Carjacking, 1993-2002

On average, 1993-2002, about 38,000 carjacking victimizations occurred annually, according to victim self-reports to the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS). There were an average 1.7 victimizations per 10,000 persons annually. About 15 murders a year involved car theft, though not all were carjack- ings, for the theft could have been incidental.

About 34,000 carjacking incidents occurred annually, some having more than 1 victim. About 45% of these incidents were completed crimes.

- Carjacking rates were higher on average during the first 5 years of the 1993-2002 period (2.1 per 10,000 persons each year) than during the last 5 years (1.3 per 10,000).

- Men were more often victimized than women; blacks more than whites; and Hispanics more than non-Hispanics.

- Households with annual incomes of $50,000 or more had lower rates than those making below $50,000.

- Carjacking victimization rates were highest in urban areas, followed by suburban and rural areas. Ninety- three percent of carjackings occurred in cities or suburbs. - A weapon was used in 74% of carjacking victimizations. Firearms were used in 45% of carjackings, knives in 11%, and other weapons in 18%.

- The victim resisted the offender in two-thirds of carjackings. Twenty- four percent of victims used confrontational resistance (threatening or attacking the offender or chasing or trying to capture the offender). About a third of victims used nonconfrontational methods, such as running away, calling for help, or trying to get the attention of others. - About 32% of victims of completed carjackings and about 17% of victims of attempted carjackings were injured. Serious injuries, such as gunshot or knife wounds, broken bones, or internal injuries occurred in about 9%. More minor injuries, such as bruises and chipped teeth, occurred in about 15%.

- The victims were hospitalized in about 1% of carjackings. About 14% of victims were treated in hospital emergency departments and then released. Another 6% involved victims who were treated elsewhere, such as in a doctor's office or at the crime scene. About 4% of injured carjacking victims did not seek medical treatment.

- Multiple carjackers committed about 56% of the total.

- Males committed 93% of carjacking incidents, while groups involving both males and females committed 3%. Women committed about 3% of carjackings.

- Carjacking victims identified 56% of the offenders as black, 21% as white, and 16% as members of other races, such as Asians or American Indians. In 6% of carjackings, the victim(s) reported multiple offenders of more than one race. - 68% of carjacking incidents occurred at night (6 p.m. - 6 a.m.). Forty-two percent of carjackings at night and 50% of those in the day were completed.

- 44% of carjacking incidents occurred in an open area, such as on the street (other than immediately adjacent to the victim's own home or that of a friend or neighbor) or near public transportation (such as a bus, subway, or train station or an airport), and 24% occurred in parking lots or garages or near commercial places such as stores, gas stations, office buildings, restaurants/bars, or other commercial facilities.

- About 63% of carjacking incidents occurred within 5 miles of the victim's home, including the 17% that occurred at or near the home. Four percent occurred more than 50 miles from the victim's home.

- 77% of carjackings -- 98% of the completed crimes and 58% of the attempts -- were reported to the police.

- Partial or complete recovery of property occurred in 78% of completed carjacking incidents. A quarter of carjackings involved total recovery of all property.

According to the Supplemental Homicide Reports from the FBI's Uniform Crime Reports, about 15 murders a year involve auto theft. It is not possible to determine how many of these murders meet the definition of carjacking.

About the Study

These data are from the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), an ongoing survey which interviews about 42,000 households and 76,000 persons age 12 or older per year. Carjacking as defined in NCVS is a completed or attempted robbery in which a car or other motor vehicle was taken or an attempt was made to take it and the offender was a stranger to the victim.

Information about murder/auto thefts is from the Supplemental Homicide Reports of the FBI's Uniform Crime Reports.

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