ohio auto theft investigators oatia newsletter … · v o l u m e 2 0 0 8 ~ i s s u e 1 w i n t e r...

OHIO AUTO THEFTINVESTIGATORS

ASSOCIATION

2006-08 OATIA BOARDOFFICERSDirector: Dennis Goodhart

Ohio State Highway PatrolAsst. Director: Bonny Rupert

Bureau of Motor VehiclesSecretary: James Myers

Erie InsuranceTreasurer: Chip Morrill

Morrill Research

BOARD MEMBERSMark Ames

A-1 Forensic Lock ServiceJoe Ferenec

Cleveland Police Dept.Christie Charlton

State Farm InsuranceMike Russell

Ohio State Highway PatrolRobert Burton

Columbus Fire Dept.Monte McGowen

Geico InsuranceChristie Charlton

State Farm InsuranceRaejene Riley

Nationwide InsuranceAlvin Ware

Youngstown Fire Dept.PAST DIRECTORS

Randy KoubeckJames MendenhallJeff SchareJohn PaskanMark SargentRalph KisorGeorge Phelps, CFIBill LepkowskiDennis BooneO.J. McLaughlinPaul HutchisonBernie FritzMike WalshTony BreeceJohn MeyerPat WalterDavid ChippsBob BartonJohn TaylorJerry WeidnerJohn WebberGerald TesarWilliam HumphriesGerald RhoadesRichard LongavaRonald FobellRichard Bennett

Winter 2008

OATIA NEWSLETTERVolume 2008 ~ Issue 1

Editor: George Phelps, CFI ~ Cincinnati Fire Dept. - Retired ~ [email protected]

WWW.OATIA.ORG

12,000 Titles Stolen In GeorgiaThe New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission(NJMVC) recently was informed of the theftof 12,000 vehicle titles from the State ofGeorgia. The stolen titles display red controlnumbers located in the right bottom border.The control numbers are listed below:

22756001 to 22760000 = 4,00022792001 to 22796000 = 4,00022828001 to 22832000 = 4,000

NJ wanted to communicate this theft to itsdealer members so they can be aware in casethey are presented with any title workoriginating from the State of Georgia.Should any of the suspected titles bepresented to your dealership, please contact:

S/A Peter W. McFarlane, UnitCommanderGeorgia Department of RevenueAuto Crime - Title Fraud Unit

1200 Tradeport BoulevardHapeville, GA 30354Phone: 404.675.1408

THIEVES STEAL CAR PARTSby Wm. A Weathers ~ Cincinnati EnquirerWEST END - Thieves stole 47 catalyticconverters from Wholesale Auto Dealersearly Monday morning. The theft tookplace at the business in the 2100 blockof Colerain Avenue sometime around7:30 a.m., police said. The catalyticconverters have become a prime targetof thieves lately because they containplatinum, which fetches a rising pricefrom scrap metal dealers, police say.

The 2008 Membership Drive hasbegun, so sign up your

coworkers today!Due to some confusion to members asto their current membership status,

the Board is seeking to make thechanges necessary to return the

membership year to the calendar yearwhich will run from January 1st to

December 31st of each year!If you are currently aPAID 2007 member,

you will still be considered up to dateuntil April 30th, 2008.

DIRECTOR’S REPORTI would like to say that I believe in thephilosophy of OATIA, that of creating a networkof investigators from both the public and privatesectors. I believe in cooperating efforts fromvarious levels of law enforcement agencies alongwith investigative units from insurancecompanies. OATIA is about focusing on commongoals and sharing information to aid in targeting,identifying, arresting, and prosecuting the autotheft thieves. With this, we have jointed forceswith IAATI, all 2008 members have received afree membership to IATTI, and we have beenattached to the Northeast Chapter. I encourage allof you to use the services provided and give usfeed back on our continued affiliation withIAATI.OATIA is also about training. We have justfinalized our three day seminar set for April 22,23 and 24, 2008 to be held at the Ohio StateHighway Patrol Academy in Columbus, Ohio. Ifyou look at the training agenda you will see thatwe are bringing a good deal of training to you fora minimal cost. We now have been approved forOPODA CPT credits and Ohio Supreme CourtCLE credits. OATIA also sponsors two one dayseminars in different areas of the state each fall.These seminars are free to attend. We are again inthe preliminary stages of planning our fallseminars. If you feel the area you live wouldrespond well to auto theft and insurance fraudtraining, please contact me or an OATIA boardmember. If we can not conduct the training inyour area this year, we would slate you in for thefollowing year.OATIA has updated our website to include amembership directory provided to all activemembers. You can contact us at our web site atwww.oatia.org. On the site is the list of all BoardMembers so that you can contact them via emailto give your suggestions and ideas. In closing,remember that the OATIA membership iscurrently running from Aril to April. We havefound a need to change this for better recordkeeping running back to concurrent with thecalendar year. We will be voting on a bi-lawschange at our annual business meeting on April24, 2008. This organization belongs to all of us.Just because you are not an elected BoardMember does not mean you do not have a say. Iencourage all of you to pass this newsletter on toother agencies so that they too can get involved.Sincerely, Dennis L. Goodhart - OATIA Director

RENEW YOUROATIA MEMBERSHIP

FOR 2008 NOW!

V O L U M E 2 0 0 8 ~ I S S U E 1 W I N T E R - P A G E 2

UPCOMING TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Northeast Ohio Fire & Arson SeminarAshland, OH – February 23 & 24th, 2008

For details, contact Randy Koubeck at [email protected]* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *The 2008 NSPII Regional Seminar will take place on March 6,

2008 at the Buckhead Club, 3343 Peachtree Road, N.E., Suite1850, Atlanta, GA 30326, (404) 262-2262. Speakers will be The

Hon. Edward H. Lindsey, Jr. speaking on Getting Involved.How To Talk with State and Local Officials To Get Needed

Legislative Changes and Jack Morgan and Matthew Smith will bedoing their popular topic Ethical Considerations in the Claim

Investigation Process: Case Studies for SIU Personnel andAttorneys. Cost for the Seminar is $35.00.Registration deadline is February 29, 2008.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *2008 OH Joint Insurance Fraud Seminar: The 2008 Ohio Joint

Insurance Fraud Seminar will take place this year on March 19,2008 at the Quest Conference Centers in Columbus, Ohio.Thirteen topics are being offered this year. Registration

deadline is February 18, 2008. Cost is $100.00 for members ofNSPII, IASIU, NICB, State of Ohio Fraud Division or Law

Enforcement and $120.00 for non-members. For a complete listingof topics being offered and our Registration Form.

Three types of sponsorships are being offered: $100.00 for aBreak Sponsor (breakfast, morning break, lunch, or afternoon

break), $125.00 for an Underwriting Sponsor where your companyname will be displayed on a sponsorship board for the entire

seminar, or $200.00 for an Exhibitor Sponsor.Exhibitor space is extremely limited.

Please contact Mary Beth Robinson at [email protected] or888-677-4498 if you would like to take advantage of any of the

sponsorship opportunities or have any questions.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

SOFAIA Seminar ~ Portsmouth, OHMarch 19-21, 2008

Vehicle Fire & Theft InvestigationsPresenters will include Past OATIA Directors Fritz, Phelps, &

Sargent along with OATIA Board Member Mark AmesFor details, contact Dave Whitaker at [email protected]* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Sign Up Today @www.oatia.org or send an E-mail [email protected]

2008 ANNUAL OATIA MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT SEMINARApril 21

stthru April 24

th

at the OH State Highway Patrol AcademySign up today! Purchase Orders are accepted!!

THE PROGRAM WILL BE AVAILABLE ON LINE ATwww.OATIA.org IN THE UPCOMING MONTHS!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *5th Annual OH Chapter Training ConferenceMay 14th, 15th, & 16th, 2008 in Zanesville, OH

Explosions & Post Blast Investigations“The Big Bang”

Registrations forms will be available at a later dateon our website at www.ohiaai.org

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Mark Your Calendars! The 2008 Advanced Insurance Fraud

Seminar will take place on November 10-11, 2008 at theGalt House Hotel & Suites, 140 North Fourth Street, Louisville,

Kentucky. Seminar Committee will soon be choosing topics andspeakers. More information to come as it is finalized.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *If you know of any upcoming training of interest to the members,

please let us know so we can post it!

OATIA MERCHANDISING COMMITTEERaejene L. Riley – Nationwide Insurance ~ Committee ChairWe now have OATIA logo items available for sale at any ofour seminars, and also by contacting me at 614-562-6589 [email protected]. We currently have T-shirts,coffee & travel mugs, and briefcases available! In addition,we will have a wider assortment available with on line salein the upcoming months. Check out the website atwww.oatia.org for updates on the Logo Sales and otherrelated updates.

RENEW YOUR OATIAMEMBERSHIP TODAY,AND RECEIVE A FREE2008 INTERNATIONAL

ASSOCIATION OF AUTOTHEFT INVESTIGATORS

MEMBERSHIP!

OATIA TREASURER’S REPORTOhio Auto Theft Investigators Association continues tobe financially sound with increasing membership andgood control of our expenses. The treasury hasremained stable, and we are well positioned for thisyear’s upcoming seminar.The board is moving to have the membership year go tothe calendar basis and any member that is able to paytheir dues now is encouraged to do so prior to theseminar. This will make the accounting easier now andat the seminar. Their will be no extra cost to themembers. If you wish to use a credit card Pay Pal isavailable for that purpose at www.OATIA.org where thereis a link. We currently have a Business Active accountmanaged by Past Director George Phelps and contactnumbers of 513-467-6266 or 513-207-1085.We also welcome sponsors that have an interest insupporting the organization and wish to contribute$300.00 or more for our use in combating Auto Theft andFraud. Sponsors will be in each issue of the OATIANewsletter, on the OATIA WebSite Sponsors Page atwww.oatia.org, Listed as a Sponsor at all OATIA TrainingSeminars, and also listed in the OATIA Directory.

Respectfully submitted, Chip Morrill

NOW YOU CAN USE YOURCREDIT OR DEBIT CARD TO PAY YOUDUES AND SEMINAR REGISTRATIONAT OUR WEBSITE WWW.OATIA.ORG!

V O L U M E 2 0 0 8 ~ I S S U E 1 W I N T E R - P A G E 3

Walt’s Auto, Inc.3551 Springfield-Xenia RoadSpringfield, Ohio 45506-3933

[email protected] or 937-323-2558

Fax – 937-323-7572

Barons Enterprises Inc.Crime Scene & Search

Warrant [email protected]

330-534-0266

CincinnatiInsuranceCompanieswww.cinfin.com

Thanks To Our Sponsors!Your company can also be added to our sponsors list!

Contact George for details [email protected]

or 513-467-6266 voice 513-467-6262 fax

Wolf Technical Services6836 Hawthorn Park Drive

Indianapolis, IN 462201-800-783-9653

www.wolftechnical.comRetired Cincy Fire Investigators

George Phelps, CFI

513-207-1085 or 513-467-6266

For all of your travel needs trywww.GeoTravelOpportunities.com

George Phelps ~ [email protected]

Or start your own BIZ, check outwww.GeoTravelOpportunities.biz

If you or your company would like to assist through asponsorship of the Annual Seminar and/or our OneDay Seminars, please consider becoming an Annual

OATIA Sponsor!We are also looking at the possibility ofVendor Booths and Presentations at the

2008 Annual Seminar!Contact George at [email protected]

LoJackCorporation

www.lojack.comOHIO

Enforcement LiaisonJoe Krych

216-701-5002

THIS SPACE AND ADDITIONAL SPACESARE RESERVED FOR YOU OR YOUR COMPANY,SO WRITE TO [email protected]

OR CALL 513-467-6266 OR FAX 513-467-6262FOR DETAILS!

Butler Technology & CareerDevelopment Schools

Public SafetyEducation Complex

Fairfield Township, Ohio513-645-8200

www.butlertech.org

INSURANCE CLAIM DENIALMonte McGowen ~ Geico Insurance (Retired – OSP)

October 2006 the insured took out a policy on a 2003 ChevySilverado. In December, he tried to trade the vehicle off to aCarmax store in Missouri. He found out that he was $8000upside down in it. The vehicle allegedly gets stolen, run intoa building and set on fire. What he forgot to remember wasfire needs oxygen and the fire smothered itself out fairlyquickly. The local police came to his residence after therecovering agency found the vehicle.He claimed he did not know the vehicle was stolen, but stillhad possession of the only key.A check of the credit union holding the lien revealed that thefirst 2 payments he made were full payments, but after that,he never made a full payment. He was subjected to an EUO,Examination under oath, where he failed to comply with allthe requests for documentation and providing other evidenceas needed. The claim was denied for lack of cooperation.

NOTES FROM THE SECRETARY’S DESKGreetings all members: We are once again preparing for theAnnual Seminar. The seminar will be held in Columbus atthe Ohio Highway Patrol Academy. The seminar notice isposted on the web site. Another pending issue that concernsall members is your board of directors.With the Annual seminar comes the duty of all members toelect their board. Be sure to review the candidates listed onthe web site and vote for your representative.The board also needs to look forward to later in the year forlocations for the one-day seminars. If you have asuggestion, forward to a board member. Remember we willneed a good location central for other agencies and largeenough to hold up to 150 persons.Hope all is well in your corner of the world.

Be safe and work safe. Jim Myers, Secretary

Sign up or renew your for 2008 OATIA Membership now,& get your 2008 IAATI Membership FREE (a $35 value)

W I N T E R - P A G E 4V O L U M E 2 0 0 8 ~ I S S U E 1

Ohio Auto Theft Investigators AssociationPost Office Box 14044

Cincinnati, Ohio 45250-0044513-467-6262 VOICE OR FAX

2008 OATIA BOARD ELECTIONS

Good morning. Several years ago, our Association made several major changes which involved the moving of the office, and therestructuring of the election process for the OATIA Board. As part of this change, the ballots are prepared, and mailed or E-mailed

to all members.

It was also voted by the OATIA Board, at the time, to allow the submission of your ballot by any means which includes returnthrough the US Mail to OATIA; P.O. Box 14044; Cincinnati, Ohio 45250-0044, or E-mail to the OATIA Treasurer

[email protected], or fax to 513-467-6262.All ballots will be confirmed as to current 2007 and/or 2008 membership status prior to being accepted as a valid ballot.

All submitted ballots must be submitted with member's name so as to validate member status.

OFFICIAL OATIA ELECTION BALLOT

Time to Cast Your Votes for the 2008 OATIA Board!

* denotes current member of the OATIA Board Names listed in randomly selected order!

Vote Name Organization 2008 OATIA Board Election Form

Robert Burton Columbus Fire Ballots must be returned by 02/28/08

Ken Cochran Ross County SO Vote For No More Than 12

Andrea Dwyer State Farm

Joseph Ferenec Cleveland PD

George Grossenbaugh Cincinnati Insurance

Mark Hoy BMV

Darren Huggins OSP

Monte McGowen GEICO

Chip Morrill Morrill Research

James Myers ERIE Insurance

Glenn Patton Boardman PD

Raejene Riley Nationwide Insurance

Bonny Rupert BMV

Mike Russell OSP

Patrick Vickery State Farm

Alvin Ware Youngstown Fire

In an effort to improve operations, and to more closelyconform to the election practices used by other similarorganizations, the election process is slightly different

from the past. Please complete, and return your ballotsby February28th to OATIA; P.O. Box 14044; Cincinnati,OH 45250-0044. Once the ballots are tallied, the newBoard Members will be contacted, and the election ofthe new officers will be handled at the Board Meetingbeing held prior to the start of the Annual Seminar.

This will then allow for the changing of the Officers andBoard to occur in conjunction with our Annual

Seminar. We feel that this will better serve the Boardand the Membership of our organization. Thanks, and

looking forward to seeing you at the 2008 OATIAAnnual Seminar! George Phelps, CFI - OATIA Editor &

Past Director

YOU MUST BE A CURRENT PAID 2007 and/or 2008 OATIA MEMBER TO VOTE!

YOU HAVE THE OPTION TO SUBMIT YOUR BALLOTS VIA MAIL, E-MAIL TO [email protected], or you may

fax it to 513-467-6262. Once current membership has been confirmed, the name will be separated from the ballot!

Once you copy the ballot, you may seal the ballot in a separate envelope from the required data below!

Please return the information below to update the database, and to confirm your membership for the ballots!

PLEASE COPY THIS DOCUMENT, FILL IN ALL THE BLANKS,AND RETURN BY FEBRUARY 28, 2008!

Memb Department or Company Name Phone

Street City State Zip Fax #

E-Mail

2008 OATIA Board Candidates(12 positions to be filled with your vote)

Robert Burton: Columbus Div of Fire, Fire Investigations Unit. Responsible for the investigation of vehicle fires. Six year memberof OATIA. Current Board Member.

Ken Cochran: Retired Ross County Sheriff’s Office, 36 years of service. Currently works part time for the S.O. OATIA member forover 20 years.

Andrea Dwyer: State Farm SIU. Has been with State Farm for 14 years, 10 years in SIU. Presently works in the multi claiminvestigative unit investigating organized fraud activity throughout Ohio. OATIA member since 1998. Serves on Ohio IASIU Board.

Joseph Ferenec: Cleveland Police Dept. Currently assigned to the Impound Unit as a vehicle process officer. Assigned to auto theft1993 to 2006. OATIA member since 1993. Board member for the past six years.

George Grossenbaugh: Cincinnati Insurance SIU. Former Strongville Police Officer. Twenty-five years in SIU. Frequent presenterto OATIA and other organizations. Past President NSPII. Holds a Masters Degree in Economic Crime Management.

Mark D. Hoy: BMV Investigations. Has been with BMV since 2003. He holds Associate and Bachelor degrees in Criminal Justice.Has addressed numerous groups for training as well as civic groups.

Darren Huggins: OSP. He has been with the State Patrol for over ten years, assigned as an investigator for five years. He has been amember of OATIA for five years.

Monte McGowen: GEICO. Retired OSP. Charter OATIA member. Current Board Member.

Chip Morrill: Morrill Research and Adjusting Company. Chip started work at Allstate in the 1970s after graduating from KentState. He was the first dedicated auto theft adjuster for Allstate. He worked in the SIU from 1995 until he retired two years ago andstarted his own business. He has been a member of OATIA since 1995. He has been a board member for seven years. He is currentlythe Treasurer and has served as Secretary.

James P. Myers: ERIE Insurance. Jim has been a investigator for Erie for nine years investigating all lines of referrals fromadjusters. Retired from OSP after twenty-one years. He holds a CIFI designation. Current Board Member and Secretary.

Glenn Patton: Boardman Police Dept. Glen has been an officer with Boardman PD since 1997, assigned to auto theft investigationssince 2005. He is a certified accident reconstructionist. He has conducted numerous investigations with other agencies throughoutnortheast Ohio and western Pennsylvania. Has received awards form the Mahoning Valley Chiefs of Police Association.

Raejean Riley: Nationwide. Former OSP Trooper. She has worked in the insurance industry since 1997, as a claims associate withProgressive, in Internal Investigations and SIU with Nationwide. She hold the FCLS and CIFI designations. She has been a memberof OATIA since 2003 and a Board Member since 2006.

Bonny Rupert: BMV Investigations. She has been in law enforcement for thirty years currently serves as the District Supervisor ofInvestigations and a part time officer for the Poland Twp Police. She has been a member of OATIA for fifteen years serving assecretary for two years and currently as Assistant director.

Mike Russell: OSP. He has been employed by OSP for seventeen years, fifteen years as a Trooper. For the past four years he hasbeen assigned to the Auto Title/Auto Theft Crimes as an investigator. He has been an active OATIA member for four years and is acurrent board member. He has been a frequent presenter.

Patrick Vickery: State Farm Insurance. He is retired from the U.S. Army Military Police having obtained the rank of Captain.Seventeen years as an Insurance claim rep with State Farm, eleven years in SIU. He has worked extensively with NICB andnumerous law enforcement agencies on auto theft task forces. He holds SCLA, FCLA, AIC and AIS designations and is currentlyworking on CPCU and CFE designations.

Alvin Ware: Youngstown Fire Dept. Has served with the fire dept for twenty-one years, currently Chief Fire Investigator. He workspart time for the Struthers Police Dept. Current OATIA Board Member.


VOTE TODAY BY MAIL TO OATIA; P.O. BOX 14044; CINCINNATI, OH 45250-0044,FAX TO 513-467-6262, OR E-MAIL [email protected]!

CONSTITUTION & BY-LAWS COMMITTEEAlvin Ware, Committee Chair ~ Youngstown Fire

Dept.The Constitution & By-Laws Committee and the OATIABoard would like to change Article XII – Annual Duesto read as follows: Each member shall pay prior to thebeginning of the year’s dues. Such dues will bedetermined by the Board of Directors with notice to themembers. All Past Directors and Life Members areexempt from dues. Membership will be from January 1through December of the following year.

THANKS TO A MOTHER’S LOVE!A Houston man was discovered cutting up his1999 Honda the same day he had reported it stolen.Apparently, the subject’s mother had a Lo-Jacksystem installed on her son’s vehicle as a surprise.When the alleged auto theft victim called HoustonPD and reported his vehicle had been stolen,the Lo-Jack hit was activated, and the insured wasdiscovered cutting up his car at his cousin’sresidence.The man and his cousin now face Insurance Fraudcharges, thanks to a mother’s love.


MONTANA STATE TROOPERIn most of the United States, there is a policy of checkingon any stalled vehicle on the highway when temperaturesdrop to single digits or below. About 3AM one very coldmorning, Montana State Trooper Allan Nixon #658responded to a call there was a car off the shoulder of theroad outside Great Falls, Montana. He located the car,stuck in deep snow and with the engine still running.Pulling in behind the car with his emergency lights on, thetrooper walked to the driver’s door to find an older manpassed out behind the wheel with a nearly empty vodkabottle on the seat beside him. The driver came awake whenthe trooper tapped on the window. Seeing the rotatinglights in his rearview mirror, and the state trooper standingnext to his car, the man panicked. He jerked the gearshiftinto ‘drive’ and hit the gas.

The car’s speedometer was showing 20-30-40 and then 50MPH, but it was still stuck in the snow, wheels spinning.Trooper Nixon, having a sense of humor, began running inplace next to the speeding (but stationary) car. The driverwas totally freaked, thinking the trooper was actuallykeeping up with him. This goes on for about 30 seconds,then the trooper yelled, “PULL OVER!”

The man nodded, turned his wheel and stopped the engine.Needless to say, the man from North Dakota was arrestedand probably still shaking his head over the state trooper inMontana who could run 50 miles per hour. Who saystroopers don’t have a sense of humor?

Pair AccusedOf Taking Stranded Cars

After breakdown, drivers had left them along a highwayBY KIMBALL PERRY ~ Cincinnati Enquirer

Daniel Bills and Joseph Shaw did a lot of hunting over thelast few months. The two men, police said, hunted their preyusing a tow truck. The pair were in court Wednesday,accused of trolling state and federal highways in westernHamilton County, looking for cars stranded on the side of theroad. After they found one, police say, they hooked the car toBills' tow truck and hauled it to a scrap yard where they soldeach car for between $250 and $400.Bills, 23, of Whitewater Township, was arrested Tuesday andcharged with seven counts of theft, charges carrying amaximum prison term of 10½ years. Shaw, 29, of SaylerPark, is charged with three counts of complicity to theft, witha maximum prison term of 4½ years.The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office made the arrests basedon information from an informer, and continues to look intothe case. "Shaw stated they then took the vehicle to a junkyard and scrapped it for cash," police documents note. Billsis accused of using the tow truck of his family's business,William Bills Towing and Recovery in Whitewater Township,to pick up the cars and deliver them to scrap yards. BothShaw and Bills were released Wednesday without having topost bond after the prosecutor said both had beencooperative in the investigation.Each man, police said, has admitted his involvement in thecrimes. The biggest issue may be how the pair was able tosell the cars to scrap yards without having titles to them. It'sillegal in Ohio to buy or sell a car without transferring the titleof ownership. Scrap yards aren't supposed to buy cars forscrap unless they get the titles. Each such violation ispunishable by a maximum of 90 days in jail and a $200 fine.Sheriff's spokesman Steve Barnett wouldn't say which scrapyards are being investigated. "We are currently investigatingevery aspect of the crime committed to date," Barnett saidWednesday, refusing further comment because the case isongoing. The metal from the cars sells for $175 per ton.That's in addition to the parts that can be stripped from thecar and resold as well as precious metals - like platinum andpalladium contained in the catalytic converter - that sell forhundreds of dollars per ounce.

FREE 2008 IAATI(INTERNATIONAL)

MEMBERSHIPSign up now or renew your’08 OATIA Membership,

and receive your2008 IAATI Membership

FREE!


OHIO AUTO THEFT INVESTIGATORS ASSOCIATION2008 MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT SEMINAR REGISTRATION

APRIL 22-24, 2008*The seminar registration fee is $125 for current OATIA Members

or $175 for non members!*The rate will be an additional $25 for registrations received after April 11th, 2008!

PURCHASE ORDERS ACCEPTED, SO SIGN UP TODAY!NOW YOU CAN USE YOUR DEBIT OR CREDIT CARDS WITH PAYPAL!

*O.A.T.I.A. is a non-profit organization. Fed Tax ID # 31-1012434*The Board of Directors reserves the right to disallow any application at their discretion.

Enclosed is ($_____________) to cover the cost of the Seminar.Included is breakfast for three days and lunch for two days, plus workshop materials.

Conference LocationOhio State Highway Patrol Academy

740 East 17th Avenue; Columbus, Ohio 43211/ (614) 466-4896(Off I-71 @ the 17th Street Exit ~ Exit 111)**Registration is limited to the first 150!**Please return this registration form to:

O.A.T.I.A., P.O. Box 14044, Cincinnati, Ohio 45250-0044You can also fax your registration to the following:

Name of contact person ~ George Phelps, CFI ~ Retired/ Cincinnati Fire InvestigationsOffice number ~ 513-467-6266 Fax number ~ 513-467-6262

You can also E-mail your registration to the following [email protected]* CLE Accreditation Pending *

**OPOTA Approved for Continuing Professional Training Credits**

Hotel InformationBest Western Columbus North

888 E DUBLIN GRANVILLE ROAD; COLUMBUS, OHIO 43229614-888-8230 FAX: 614-846-1033

Lodging reservations must be made on your own($64.00 per night plus 15.75% Tax - single or double)

Register early to avoid being closed out of the hotel! Please mention “OATIA” to ensure proper rate!Visit www.oatia.org for seminar announcements & updates!

Name: Affiliation:

Address: City: State: Zip:

Phone: Fax: E-mail:

Workshop Choices: (Class sizes are limited, and subject to first come first serve for selections!)

Please mark your first and second choices in each workshop grouping

Tuesday ~ [#1 ____ #2 ____ ] [#3 ____ #4 ____ ]Wednesday ~ [#1 ____ #2 ____#3 ____#7 ] [#4 ____ #5 ____ #6 ____ ]

Sign up now ~ Additional details on the website at www.oatia.org soon!

While registering for the Annual OATIA Seminar, why not complete theOATIA Membership Application, and become a member of our Association!

The Annual Membership Fee is $15 for Law Enforcementand $20 for Insurance & Others.

All applications are subject to review and approval of the OATIA Board!


The Ohio Auto Theft Investigators Association2008 MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT SEMINAR

APRIL 22-24, 2008*The seminar registration fee is $125 for current OATIA Members

or $175 for non members!*The rate will be an additional $25 for registrations received after April 11th, 2008!

PURCHASE ORDERS ACCEPTED, SO SIGN UP TODAY!NOW YOU CAN USE YOUR DEBIT OR CREDIT CARDS WITH PAYPAL!

*O.A.T.I.A. is a non-profit organization. Fed Tax ID # 31-1012434*The Board of Directors reserves the right to disallow any application at their discretion.

Enclosed is ($_____________) to cover the cost of the Seminar.Included is breakfast for three days and lunch for two days, plus workshop materials.

Please return this registration form to:O.A.T.I.A., P.O. Box 14044, Cincinnati, Ohio 45250-0044

You can also fax your registration to the following:Name of contact person ~ George Phelps, CFI ~ Retired/ Cincinnati Fire Investigations

Office number ~ 513-467-6266 Fax number ~ 513-467-6262You can also E-mail your registration to the following [email protected]

Monday - April 21st, 20089:00 – 2:00 Golf Outing3:00 Pre-Burn Vehicle demo will be in the field in the rear of the OSP Academy, and will be used

for class on Wednesday & Outdoor Demo Set up5:00 – 7:00 Board Meeting7:30 – 9:00 Pre-Registration7:30 – 11:00 Information Exchange & Geo’s Chili Night!

Tuesday - April 22nd, 20087:30 – 9:00 Registration & Coffee9:00 – 9:15 Award Presentations9:15 – 9:30 Welcome – To Be Announced9:30 – 10:30 Legal Updates

Tomi Dorris ~Ohio Attorney General’s Office10:30 – 10:45 Break10:45 – 12:00 How The Private Investigator Can Assist You With Your Case File

David Chipps ~ David A. Chipps & Associates12:00 – 1:00 Lunch (Provided @ OSP Cafeteria)

1:00 – 2:30 Breakout #1 Surveillance EquipmentTim Henn ~ OH State Highway Patrol

1:00 – 2:30 Breakout #2 Glass DecoderDave Eckland ~ NICB

2:30 – 2:45 Break2:45 – 5:00 Breakout #3 Surveillance Equipment

Tim Henn ~ OH State Highway Patrol2:45 – 5:00 Breakout #4 Use of Cell Phone Records for Investigations

Trooper Tom Halligan & Trooper Ron Schneider~ OH State Highway Patrol7:00 – 11:30 Information Exchange & Geo’s Low Country Boil!

Sign up today, and use your debit or credit card!Registration fees are as follows:

$125 for current OATIA Members & $175 for non-membersAdditional fee of $25 for registrations after April 11th, 2008


Wednesday – April 23rd, 20088:30 – 9:00 Registration & Coffee9:00 – 10:20 Breakout #1 ~ Forensic Steering Column & Lock Technology Update

Mark Ames ~ A-1 Forensic Lock ServiceBreakout #2 ~ Vehicle Fire Investigations & Use of Canines

Brian Petermann – OH State Fire Marshal’s OfficeBreakout #3 ~Expert Witness Testimony

Matthew Smith – Smith, Rolfes, & SkavdahlBreakout #7 ~ Field Trip to Ohio Machines (This will be an all morning)

10:20 – 10:40 Break10:40 – 12:00 Breakout #4 ~ Vehicle Defects and Recall Updates

Mark Sargent – Motor Vehicle Forensic ServicesBreakout #5 ~ Dealership Fraud

Bonny Rupert – OH Bureau of Motor VehiclesMike Russell – OH State Highway Patrol

Breakout #6 ~ Expert Witness Testimony (Repeat of Breakout #3)Matthew Smith – Smith, Rolfes, & Skavdahl

12:00 – 1:00 Lunch (Provided @ OSP Cafeteria)1:00 – 3:00 Forensic Analysis / On Screen - Bait Car

Mark Ames & - Mark SargentOUTDOOR DEMONSTRATIONS3:15 – 4:30 Live Burn Demonstrations On Site!

Area #1 ~ Incendiary Vehicle Fire – OATIA Board(Burn will be set at the start of the afternoon outdoor session)

Area #2 ~ Electrical Vehicle Fire – OATIA Board(Burn will be set on Monday April 21st, late afternoon)

Area #3 ~ Retagged Vehicle – OATIA BoardArea #4 ~ Cloned Vehicle – OATIA Board INTREPID/ OSPArea #5 ~ Commercial Vehicle – OATIA Board

Area #6 ~ ATV’s - OATIA BoardArea #7 ~ *Steering Column – OATIA BoardArea #8 ~ * Steering Column – OATIA BoardArea #9 ~ * Steering Column – OATIA BoardArea #10~ * Steering Column – OATIA Board

*Attempts will be to get multiple vehicles to give attendees the opportunity for hands-onexperience. If you have access to any potential vehicles, and can provide the tow andvehicle to the site, please contact Raejene Riley of Nationwide Insurance 614-562-6589.

5:00 – 11:30 Information Exchange & Pizza and Wings Night!Thursday – April 24th, 2008

8:30 – 9:00 Registration & Coffee9:00 – 9:30 OATIA Business Meeting9:30 – 10:45 Combating the CSI Mystique & Other T.V. and Movie Effects

on Claim Investigation and TestimonyMatthew Smith – Smith, Rolfes, & Skavdahl

10:45 – 11:00 Break11:00 – 12:00 Combating the CSI Mystique & Other T.V. and Movie Effects

on Claim Investigation and TestimonyMatthew Smith – Smith, Rolfes, & Skavdahl

OATIA AWARDS TO BE PRESENTED!Each year, the OATIA Board and the Awards Committee select Past Directors, Board Members, andother OATIA Members for several awards to recognize them for their work and dedication toOATIA and/ or to their local communities in the fight against the crimes of Auto Theft, Arson, andInsurance Fraud. Nominate one of your coworkers or any member you feel has gone above andbeyond the call of duty in their job performance! The awards include the Investigator of the Year forboth the public & private sectors, and the Rick Thompson Award!

SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP PROMOTION BELOW!!SIGN UP FOR OATIA OR RENEW FOR 2008

AND GET IAATI MEMBERSHIPS FREE!

2008 OATIA Membership/ Renewal ApplicationOhio Auto Theft Investigators Association

Post Office Box 14044Cincinnati, Ohio 45250-0044

513-467-6266 Voice513-467-6262 Fax

(NOTE CHANGE (eff. 4/24/08) - OATIA Membership Year Will Run From January 1st through December 31st of each year.)* MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION *

NEW__ __ RENEWAL_ ___$15.00 Law Enforcement ____ $20.00 Insurance & Others ____

Please fill application out in its entirety. All blanks MUST be filled.Please print legibly so that someone else may read this application. Please include all ZIP and AREA codes.

Last Name First Name Initial

Street Address

City State Zip Code

Birthdate Estimated # years of OATIA Membership

Department or Company Name Title/ Position

Business Address

City State Zip Code

Home Phone ( ) Work Phone ( ) Cell Phone: ( )

Fax Number ( ) E-Mail Address:

Signature of Applicant Sponsoring Member’s SignatureMail correspondence to _____Home _____Work _____E-Mail

Return to: O.A.T.I.A.Post Office Box 14044Cincinnati, Ohio 45250-0044

Please include payment and make checks payable to O.A.T.I.A.The Board of Directors reserves the right to disallow any application at their discretion.

*2008 Membership Drive - “Six in ’08 for ‘09” - Sponsor Six New Members for your 2009 Dues!*Sign Up Now or Renew your 2008 OATIA Membership,

and receive your membership to theInternational Association of Auto Theft Investigators FREE,

which is a savings of $35 per year!

W I N T E R - P A G E 1 0V O L U M E 2 0 0 8 ~ I S S U E 1

OATIA Newsletter Editor ~ George Phelps, CFI ~ Editor (Retired-Cincinnati Fire Dept.)E-Mail: [email protected] or 513-467-6266 or Fax 513-467-6262


LETTERS TO THE EDITORFrom Unknown Member:NEW WAY TO GAIN ENTRY INTO CARS

BEWARE****BEWAREOn June 20th, I was talking with one of my totaltheft examiners and we were discussing the entryinto an insured's 2006 Monte Carlo. She mentionedthat she locked herself out of her 2006 ChryslerPacifica the other day and had to call for alocksmith. She advised that the following is howhe gained entry. He took a blood pressure cuff andslim Jim and pushed the cuff between the door andthe jam. He then pumped the cuff up and it forcedthe door open enough that he was able to take asmall metal rod, she said about 1/4 in diameter, andhe had it already pre-bent and stuck it in and hit thedoor lock mechanism. The door opened and thealarm went off, but since her key was in the car, allshe had to do was hit the disable button and thealarm stopped. She said it took about 3 minutes andhe was in the vehicle from the time of his arrival.ALSO.............No visible damage to the exterior.

Response to prior Letter To The Editor from Mark Ames:Hi George,This method of opening vehicles has been around for a longtime. The commercially available tool is called a Jiffy Jack. Itcomes with tools that are vinyl coated so as to avoid damage.The air bag comes with this set up. I have discussed this severaltimes at my multiple training seminars, and have evendemonstrated it.I am quite surprised that a total theft examiner had not beenaware of this.

As an added note, the locksmith that used a blood pressuredevice and a bent metal rod must have been undercapitalized asthese tools are cheap. Also, most every tow vehicle as well asthe few police departments that think it is necessary to enter intoprivate business enterprises also carry these tools.

Note my company would have simply used a key to open this latemodel GM vehicle with absolutely no damage.

Respectfully,Mark AmesA-1 Forensic Lock Service

Articles and other materials posted in this newsletter are provided for informational purposes only,and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Director, Board Members, Editor,

or Members of the Ohio Auto Theft Investigators Association!


Ohio Auto Thefts Decline Sharply! Thursday, January 10, 2008 Town CrierFollowing a national trend, the Ohio Insurance Institute reports that Ohio auto thefts declined nearly 9.6 percent between2005 and 2006 based figures from FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports. This follows a statewide auto theft increase of 1.8percent between 2004 and 2005. Previous years’ data show Ohio experienced decreases of 0.3 percent (2003-to 2004) and4.1 percent (2002 to 2003). U.S. auto thefts continue to show improvement, now in a third year of decline according tothe National Insurance Crime Bureau Thefts decreased by 3.4 percent between 2005 and 2006 and 1.5 percent between2004 and 2005. OII findings, based on FBI data, suggest that Cleveland continues to pose the greatest risk of auto theft inthe Buckeye State. There was one theft for every 44 registered vehicles in Cleveland in 2006, a slight improvement fromits one theft for every 43 vehicles reported in the 2005 study. Auto-theft-wise, cities coming closest to Cleveland’s 2006ratio are Dayton (1 in 59) and Youngstown (1 in 82). Dayton averaged one theft for every 55 registered vehicles in 2005,and Youngstown averaged one for every 75 vehicles. The 2006 statewide average is 1 theft for every 324 registeredvehicles. Between 2005 and 2006, auto theft activity in Ohio’s major cities ranged from a decrease of 63.2 percent inMansfield, to an increase of 30.6 percent in Akron.The FBI reports that the average value per vehicle stolen in 2006 was $6,649, compared to the 2005 estimated value of$6,173 per stolen vehicle. According to OII, the estimated value of unrecovered stolen vehicles increased from $96.8million in 2005 to over $102 million in 2006. Of significance is the fact that 13 of 17 Ohio cities experienced a decline inauto thefts between 2005 and 2006, ranging from 0.7 percent to 3.2 percent. Of cities reporting decreases, Mansfield hadthe greatest percentage drop, reducing thefts from 220 in 2005 to 81 in 2006. “The fact that so many cities reporteddeclines in thefts last year likely led to the significant decline in statewide figures,” said Daniel J. Kelso, OII President.“Insurers evaluate hundreds of factors when establishing insurance rates, so it’s impossible to predict how a fluctuation inany one factor, like auto theft, can affect future premiums,” Kelso explained.Even with this decline, Ohio ranks ninth highest in the U.S. in terms of stolen vehicles. The top states, according toNICB, are California, Texas and Florida. Akron had a 30.6 percent increase in auto thefts between 2005 and 2006, thehighest percentage increase in the state. Other cities experiencing increases in 2006 included Elyria (14.5 percent), Euclid(8.2 per cent), and Springfield (7.6 per cent).Double-digit percentage decreases in auto theft between 2005 and 2006 were reported in a half-dozen surveyed cities andinclude Mansfield (63.2 per cent), Warren (24.6 percent), Toledo (20 percent), Columbus (18.1 percent), Parma (13 percent), and Cincinnati (12.8 per cent).An OII comparison of estimated 2006 thefts to vehicle registrations, 1 theft for every 324 vehicle registrations, is asignificant improvement from 2005’s ratio of one vehicle stolen for every 290 registered vehicles in the state (2004’s ratiowas 1 in 298). Mansfield leads the state in having the lowest theft to registered vehicle ratio of one theft for every 637registered vehicles.The FBI reports that the number of property thefts from vehicles (excluding accessories) decreased 0.4- percent between2005 and 2006. The total number of non-accessory related thefts was 1,396,481, averaging $734 per incident. Thisincludes personal property such as pack ages, purses, CDs, portable GPS systems and laptops. Motor vehicle accessorythefts, including tires, hood ornaments, and in-dash stereo equipment, declined 8.5 percent between 2005 and 2006. Therewere 508,951 reported in 2006, averaging $522 per incident. “Car manufacturers, law enforcement, and the insuranceindustry are committed to curtailing auto theft and consumer education on theft prevention,” said Kelso. “Consumers areall too aware of the cost of auto theft and are taking precautionary measures from locking their cars to adding anti-theftdevices. Many newer makes and models come equipped with anti-theft alarm, stereo and/or immobilization systems.Insurers recognize the value of anti-theft systems, with some offering auto insurance premium discounts for protectivedevices.” Electronic tracking devices like LoJack use a hidden transmitter to assist law enforcement officials to trackstolen vehicles. LoJack, which operates in 25 states and the District of Columbia, became available to Ohio consumers inSeptember 2005. General Motors recently announced that its satellite navigation technology, OnStar, has the capability oftracking stolen vehicles along with an optional - stolen-vehicle slowdown feature that will be offered to its subscribers onselect 2009 model cars. This new feature will allow OnStar to remotely cut engine power on reported stolen vehicles andwill be offered on about 20 models. The Ohio Insurance Institute is a trade association representing insurance companiesand agent groups for the property/casualty insurance industry A primary objective of the OII is to help Ohioans achieve abetter understanding of insurance and related safety issues.

SIGN UP OR RENEW FOR 2008 NOW! USE PAYPAL!

45th Annual Midwest Motor Vehicle Theft Conference May 5th – 8th, 2008Casino Queen Hotel & Casino – Contact Cheryl Zofkie, NICB at [email protected] for details!


CLIPS OF INTEREST?Please submit any you feel

may be of interest to theOATIA Membership

Cutlass Named Most-Stolen Vehicle;Overall Thefts Rise

For Immediate Release October 10, 2007Contact: Jay Kenworthy (317) 464-2452 [email protected]

INDIANAPOLIS – Hoosiers who own a 1992 Oldsmobile Cutlass may want to investin some additional anti-theft devices, based on a study naming that car the most-stolenautomobile in Indiana. The National Insurance Crime Bureau’s (NICB) 2006 HotWheels list, released this week, ranks the top ten most stolen cars in the nation and eachstate. The study also indicates Indiana is one of only 16 states to see an increase in autothefts in 2006. The number of thefts in Indiana rose from 21,744 to 21,866 – anincrease of one-half percent. While it’s not a major increase, the number of theftsnationally dropped 3.4 percent. “This is a sign that Hoosiers need to take better care oftheir vehicles,” Insurance Institute of Indiana President Steve Williams said. “We aren’thitting the panic button here, but if thefts in Indiana continue to rise while the rest of thenation falls, that could have an impact on auto insurance premiums.” The FBI estimatesthe average value of a stolen vehicle is $6,649. Using that figure, auto theft caused morethan $145 million in losses last year. Nationwide, there were 1,192,809 motor vehiclethefts – a $7.9 billion loss. The ’92 Cutlass was the most commonly stolen vehicle inIndiana, but that make and model did not make the nationwide list. The 1995 HondaCivic was the most-stolen vehicle in the country last year.Indiana United StatesRank Vehicle Rank Vehicle1. 1992 Oldsmobile Cutlass 1. 1995 Honda Civic2. 1989 Chevrolet Full Size 1500 Pickup 2. 1991 Honda Accord3. 1993 Ford Taurus 3. 1989 Toyota Camry4. 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier 4. 1997 Ford F-150 Series Pickup5. 1991 Chevrolet Caprice 5. 2005 Dodge Ram Pickup6. 2004 Pontiac Grand Am 6. 1994 Chevrolet C/K 1500 Pickup7. 1997 Ford F150 Series 7. 1994 Nissan Sentra8. 1991 Chevrolet Blazer 8. 1994 Dodge Caravan9. 1990 Buick Lesabre 9. 1994 Saturn SL10. 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix 10. 1990 Acura Integra“Vehicle thieves are opportunistic criminals,” Williams said, “so Hoosiers can do a lotto protect themselves against theft. This is a very preventable crime.” Drivers canprotect their vehicles in a variety of ways. The Insurance Institute of Indiana and theNICB recommend a “layered approach” to minimizing your risk.

1. Common Sense – Remove keys from ignition, lock your doors, close yourwindows, park in well-lit areas

2. Warning Devices – Audible alarms, steering wheel locks, brake locks, theftdeterrent decals, VIN etching, etc.

3. Immobilizing Devices (devices that prevent hot-wiring) – Smart keys, fusecut-offs, kill switches, ignition disablers, etc.

The Insurance Institute of Indiana is an insurance trade association representinginsurance companies doing business in Indiana. Visit us on the web atwww.insuranceinstitute.org.

LINKS OF INTEREST! (If you know of any interesting sites for our members, please submit them!)For Auto Arson http://www.lvrj.com/news/14900856.html National Insurance Crime Bureau www.nicb.orgNational Society of Professional Insurance Investigators www.nspii.org How Stuff Works www.howstuffworks.comFor Home Arson http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/InsureYourHome/BrokeHomeownersTurnToArson.aspxNational Highway Transportation Safety Administration www.nhsta.dot.gov Ohio Chapter IAAI www.ohiaai.org

International Association of Special Investigation Units www.iasiu.org Consumer Product Safety Commission www.cpsc.govInternational Association of Arson Investigators www.firearson.org Ohio Supreme Court www.sconet.state.oh.usOhio Attorney General’s Office http://www.ag.state.oh.us/ United States Fire Administration www.usfa.fema.govJeeves www.askjeeves.com National Association of Insurance Commissioners www.naic.orgUnited States Supreme Court Decisions http://www.usscplus.com/ National Fire Protection Association www.nfpa.orgNational Institute for Scientific Testing www.bflr.nist.gov/fire.html Environmental Protection Association www.epa.govNational District Attorney’s Association http://www.ndaa-apri.org/ Federal Bureau of Investigation www.fbi.gov

TOLEDO AUTO THEFT UNIT UPDATEDetectives Tim Kaminski & Jay Schramm – Toledo Police Auto Squad

Detectives Jay Schramm & Tim Kaminski of the Toledo Police Department’s Auto Squad handled an interesting case recently.A 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee insured by State Farm Insurance was stolen from a parking lot in Toledo, OH. The stolen Jeep wasrecovered within an hour of the reported theft after the Jeep was involved in a hit-skip accident sideswiping a parked unoccupiedvehicle. The vehicle then jumped a curb, striking a large tree where the stolen vehicle ultimately came to rest. Witnesses in theneighborhood observed a B/M flee from the driver’s side of the vehicle. A B/M juvenile passenger was left severely injured in thefront passenger seat due to NOT wearing a seat belt. (Both driver- front & passenger- front air bags were deployed). Medicalpersonnel were not sure if the passenger would survive due to severe head trauma, but ultimately, he did survived.

Both Detectives Schramm & Kaminski interviewed the injured front seat passenger at the hospital; however, he refused to providethe name of the driver of the stolen vehicle. Assistance from the TPD Scientific Investigative Unit was requested to preserve andsecure as evidence the drivers front seat air bag which deployed. The air bag was submitted on 2/1/07 to the Ohio BCI laboratoryin Bowling Green, OH in an attempt to extract DNA from the airbag. Subsequently, on 9/11/07 Detectives Schramm & Kaminskiwere advised that DNA was extracted from the front driver’s seat airbag. Identification was effected as the DNA profile wasentered into the DNA database, and a “hit” with an in-custody juvenile presently incarcerated at the Indian River CorrectionalFacility located in Massillon, OH. The driver of the stolen vehicle was identified as a 17 year old at the time of the offense, andwas charged with RSP for the theft of the 1995 Jeep.


NATIONAL INSURANCE CRIME BUREAU INTRODUCESVEHICLE LOCATION AND RECOVERY PROGRAM FOR FINANCE INDUSTRY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Frank Scafidi 916.979.7025 [email protected] Plaines, IL. (December 6, 2007) – The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), a not-for-profit organization dedicated topreventing, detecting and defeating insurance fraud and vehicle theft, has introduced a program that supports vehicle financecompanies in locating stolen, illegally exported, abandoned and impounded vehicles.

Through the program, vehicle finance companies can receive real-time notices of recovered stolen and impoundedvehicles, and those exported or located in foreign countries. This notification process is a result of the NICB’s data-sharingagreement with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Crime Information Center in which the NICB maintains a “mirrorimage” of the FBI’s vehicle theft database. Using internal data analytics and investigative capabilities, the NICB can determinewhen and where a vehicle has been recovered or impounded and provide finance companies with real-time notification.

“Finance companies pay the price every time one of their financed vehicles is stolen, illegally exported, or leftunidentified or abandoned in a law enforcement impound lot,” says Robert Wilson, the NICB membership director who heads thisnew initiative. “With nearly 100 years of experience in locating and recovering stolen vehicles, along with our longstandingexclusive relationships with law enforcement agencies worldwide, the NICB provides finance companies with unique solutions tohelp them put their money back where it belongs…their bottom line.”

Program FeaturesThe NICB vehicle finance industry program currently features three primary components:

1. Impound Services – Through data-sharing agreements, the NICB gathers impounded vehicle information from lawenforcement agencies and cross-references it with finance company vehicle data. Notifications of matching records areimmediately sent to participating companies.

2. Interdiction Services – To help stop the flow of stolen U.S. vehicles sold on the black market worldwide, speciallytrained NICB agents, vehicle identification specialists and investigative staff work with U.S. Customs and BorderProtection agents at key seaports and border crossings nationwide to review export records and match them against filesfrom multiple databases that contain salvage, rental fleet, previous export, insurer theft data, purged FBI records andlien/finance vehicle records. Identified stolen vehicles are interdicted prior to exportation and notifications are providedto finance companies so they can recover their assets.

3. Repatriation Services – The NICB locates, identifies and returns stolen and impounded vehicles from foreign countries,most notably Mexico. Dedicated NICB agents and staff gather information about these vehicles and cross-reference itagainst theft data to uncover matches. Finance companies receive notification of the identification and provided theopportunity to have their vehicles returned to the United States.

“This program offers vehicle finance companies significant benefits. Through it, they can capitalize on the NICB’s expertise andexclusive data-sharing agreements to support the prompt and accurate location and recovery of their vehicle assets, and reducefinancial exposure to impound lot vehicle depreciation and vandalism,” says Wilson. Vehicle finance companies can obtainfurther information about this program by contacting the NICB’s Member Services Group at 1.800.447.6282 x. 7001National Insurance Crime Bureau. Headquartered in Des Plaines, IL, the National Insurance Crime Bureau is the nation'sleading not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to preventing, detecting and defeating insurance fraud and vehicletheft through information analysis, investigations, training and public awareness. The NICB is currently supported by 1,070property-casualty insurance companies and self-insured organizations.


A half dozen or so (some new) Ponderisms:1. Ever wonder about those people who spend $2.00 a piece on those little bottles of Evian water?

Try spelling Evian backwards: NAIVE2. Isn't making a smoking section in a restaurant like making a peeing section in a swimming pool?3. OK.... so if the Jacksonville Jaguars are known as the 'Jags' and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are known as

the 'Bucs,' what does that make the Tennessee Titans?4. If 4 out of 5 people SUFFER from diarrhea...does that mean that one enjoys it?5. There are three religious truths:

a. Jews do not recognize Jesus as the Messiah.b. Protestants do not recognize the Pope as the leader of the Christian faith.c. Baptists do not recognize each other in the liquor store or Hooters.

6. If people from Poland are called Poles, why aren't people from Holland called Holes?7. If a pig loses its voice, is it disgruntled?8. Why do croutons come in airtight packages? Aren't they just stale bread to begin with?

RENEW

OATIA

2008

MEMBERSHIP

V O L U M E 2 0 0 8 ~ I S S U E 1

The OATIA Newsletter is published 3 times annually,and is available through mailings to members

and on the website at www.oatia.org.

ARTICLES NEEDED!We are always looking for articles and other special interest itemsfrom the Board and the Membership! If you have a resolved casethat you feel would be of interest, or beneficial to other members,please feel free to submit it for consideration as an article in thefuture issues of the OATIA Newsletter! Also, if you would like torecognize anyone for their years of service, or retirements, or evenjob opportunities, feel free to forward it to [email protected],and we will do what we can to get the word out! We are also alwayslooking for suggestions to make the seminars more informative andbeneficial to all the members and attendees, so please forward anyrequests and it will be addressed by Your OATIA Board! This isYour Association, and we are here to serve your training andnetworking needs! Visit us soon at www.oatia.org

BRITISH CARS, PARTSTARGET OF DETROIT THIEVES

Submitted by John Applegate of Applegate Adjusting Insurance Claims

November 1, 2007 www.oldcarsweekly.comDETROIT – On Oct. 9, a warehouse in Detroit owned by LeeJacobsen was broken into and many British car parts were stolen. AnMG in the warehouse was used to ram through steel doors after thealarm was disabled. Anything copper, brass, aluminum, or dense steelwas stolen, along with tools, grinders, floor jacks, drill presses,batteries, etc. Neighbors called police, but officers did not reach thescene in time to catch the vandals. Eight British cars were vandalizedfor their metal, and one was stolen. The cars included a 1945 MGTC,1953 MGTD, 1955 MGTF, 1957 MGA coupe, 1963 TR3-B, 1937MGSA, 1938 MGSA, 1952 XK-120 Jaguar Roadster, and a 1970MGB Roadster. Using crowbars and other tools, thieves stole aTartan Red 1970 MGB Roadster, radiators and shells from MGTC’s,MGTD’s and 1937 and ’38 MGSA models and radiators from anMGA, TR3-B and 1952 Jaguar. The most valuable parts were takenfrom the prewar MGSA models, including carburetors, fuel pumps,copper lines, four chrome window channels, aluminized exhaustmanifolds, and boxes of small chrome brass parts such as latches andfittings. Any leads should be directed to Detective Kevin Payton at313-596-5640 under complaint No. 0710100147.

W I N T E R - P A G E 1 6

OH AUTO THEFT INVESTIGATORS ASSOCIATIONPOST OFFICE BOX 14044CINCINNATI OHIO 45250-0044

Sign up to become a member of the OHIOChapter of the International Association of

Arson Investigator TODAY!Contact Debbie Carter at

[email protected] for anapplication and details!

Also, encourage your coworkers to join bothOATIA & OH IAAI, and increase your

networking potential!

ohio auto theft investigators oatia newsletter … · v o l u m e 2 0 0 8 ~ i s s u e 1 w i n t e r...

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