Vehicle thefts see sharp drop

Brownsville police are reporting a sharp decline in motor vehicle thefts, attributing the decrease to the strong Mexican military presence in cities bordering the United States.

"It's been very effective," said Brownsville police Lt. James Paschall of the Special Investigations Unit. "We have a good working relationship with state police, local police and other entities within Matamoros."

So far this month, 15 vehicles have been reported stolen in Brownsville, compared to 40 in May 2007. Mexican authorities reported 18 vehicles stolen in Matamoros during April.

"It's worked out very well, it's down," Paschall said. "We've seen a steady decrease every month."

Brownsville police reported 21 vehicles stolen in January, 16 in February, 22 in March and 16 in April. Motor vehicle theft is directly linked to the Mexican Gulf Cartel, which in the past was stealing vehicles from U.S. cities along the border and selling them in Mexico for several hundred dollars.

GMC, Chevrolet and Dodge pickups and sport utility vehicles topped the list of stolen vehicles.

"Auto theft in Matamoros has also gone down," Paschall said. "However, they (Mexican Gulf Cartel), is stealing vehicles within Matamoros. We are seeing some different trends."

A total of 458 vehicles was reported stolen in Brownsville during 2007, and Paschall projects about 250 to be stolen this year, a decrease of more than 50 percent.

"A few months ago we were seeing 50 to 60 cars being reported stolen," he said. "Currently, the vehicles that are being stolen are older models, which are being used for human and drug smuggling throughout the state."

Paschall said his detectives are working closely with U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents because of the numerous cases of drug and human smuggling that have recently been reported.

"And that has been consistent throughout the year," he said. "We are working closely with Border Patrol."