Texas Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority

Where in Texas Is the MVCPA Truck Today?

The MVCPA truck is making another stop somewhere in Texas!

In today's photos, you'll spot us at a famous waterfront attraction and a historic dining landmark that has welcomed visitors for generations.

Think you know where we are?

Drop your guess in the comments before someone else beats you to it!

BIG RIG BUST: Stolen Trucks, Trailers, and Parts Recovered in Multi-Agency Investigation

Not every stolen vehicle is a passenger car or pickup truck. Across Texas, 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers, and commercial vehicles are prime targets for criminals—and for many owners and drivers, these vehicles represent their livelihood.

The Houston Auto Crimes Task Force is currently working an ongoing investigation alongside the Austin County Sheriff's Office, Harris County Precinct 1 Constable's Office Environmental Squad, and the Harris County Fire Marshal's Office after receiving information about stolen commercial vehicles and parts at a truck parking facility.

During the investigation, detectives located and recovered:
✅ 3 stolen tractor units
✅ 2 stolen tractor frames that had been stripped
✅ 1 stolen box trailer loaded with bedding and mattress products
✅ 1 stolen flatbed trailer
✅ 1 stolen diesel engine from a commercial truck
✅ 1 VIN-swapped 2022 Ram pickup

The recovery highlights the importance of specialized training in combating commercial vehicle theft. Houston Auto Crimes Task Force investigators quickly identified the stolen vehicles and components using knowledge gained through training supported by the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority (MVCPA).

Auto theft doesn't stop with passenger vehicles. From pickups to big rigs, MVCPA-funded task forces continue working to protect Texas businesses, drivers, and the critical supply chains that keep our state moving.

From the Classroom to the Conference: MVCPA Invests in Continued Learning

Last week, the MVCPA Training Team traveled to Duluth, Minnesota, to attend the annual conference hosted by the National Odometer and Title Fraud Enforcement Association (NOTFEA).

While MVCPA spends much of the year training law enforcement officers across Texas, this time our team was in the student seats—expanding knowledge and bringing back valuable information to better serve our partners statewide.

Conference topics included:
✅ Odometer Fraud Investigations
✅ Salvage Yard Operations & Compliance
✅ Export Fraud Trends
✅ NMVTIS Updates
✅ Emerging Vehicle Crime Issues
✅ Networking with investigators and industry experts from across the United States

Continuing education and collaboration are essential in staying ahead of evolving vehicle crimes. The knowledge gained at NOTFEA will help strengthen MVCPA training programs and support law enforcement efforts throughout Texas.

SMALL TEAM. BIG MISSION.

Did you know the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority (MVCPA) funds 30 Auto Theft Task Forces across Texas?

Over the coming weeks, we'll introduce you to the dedicated taskforces who work every day to combat vehicle crime in their communities.

First up is the San Angelo PD Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Program, one of MVCPA's newest grant-funded task forces, established in 2026.

Currently operating as a two-investigator team, this task force is proving that a small unit can make a big impact. Their goal is to continue growing over the next several years while strengthening auto theft prevention, investigations, and vehicle recovery efforts throughout the region.

You may notice the sheep featured in their photo. That's a nod to San Angelo's rich history as the "Wool Capital of the World," a title that reflects the area's deep roots in the sheep and wool industry.

Join us as we highlight the men and women behind Texas' auto theft task forces and the work they do every day to protect our communities.

THEY'RE BACK: Catalytic Converter Thieves Are Cutting Their Way Across Texas

Just when you thought catalytic converter theft was fading away, it's making a comeback.

Thanks to the proactive work of the Harris County Sheriff's Office Auto Theft Unit, a grant-funded MVCPA task force, investigators quickly responded to a theft-in-progress call and arrested a suspect before additional vehicles could be targeted. Deputies recovered multiple suspected stolen catalytic converters and a saw believed to have been used in the thefts.

This case is a reminder that catalytic converter thieves can strike in minutes, often targeting multiple vehicles in a single night. The good news? Vigilant citizens and dedicated auto theft investigators are fighting back every day.

MVCPA proudly funds auto theft task forces across Texas that work tirelessly to investigate vehicle-related crimes, recover stolen property, and hold offenders accountable.

Protect Your Catalytic Converter:

✅ Paint It – Apply high-heat paint and mark it with your VIN or license plate number.
✅ Etch It – Permanently engrave identifying information.
✅ Cover It – Install a catalytic converter protection device.

Many MVCPA-funded task forces offer FREE catalytic converter etching and theft prevention events throughout the year to help Texans protect their vehicles.

Paint It. Etch It. Cover It.

A few minutes of prevention can save you thousands in repairs.

$330,000 STOLEN FERRARI'S TEXAS PIT STOP ENDS HERE

A luxury sports car reported stolen out of Florida won't be making any more unauthorized road trips.

Precinct 4 Constable Deputies with the Mark Herman, Harris County Constable Precinct 4 Office, recently recovered a stolen 2023 Ferrari Coupe valued at approximately $330,000 at a residence in Harris County. The vehicle, originally stolen from Aventura, Florida, was located through proactive investigative efforts.

A homeowner connected to the investigation was detained at the scene, and the case remains active as investigators continue to gather evidence.

This recovery highlights the importance of proactive law enforcement efforts and the partnerships that help track and recover stolen vehicles across state lines.

One stolen Ferrari recovered. One owner is getting their vehicle back. One more reminder that auto theft is never a victimless crime.

MVCPA proudly recognizes the outstanding work of the deputies and investigators whose efforts help keep stolen vehicles off our roads and return them to their rightful owners.

Auto thieves have a type. Does your vehicle make the list?

The latest Texas Top 10 Most Stolen Vehicles are in, and some familiar favorites are still attracting unwanted attention.

🔒 Lock your doors
🔑 Take your keys and key fob
👀 Hide valuables from view
💡 Park in well-lit areas

A few simple habits can help keep your vehicle from becoming a statistic.

Source: Texas Department of Public Safety Vehicle Theft Data – May 2026

Learned It in Class. Used It on the Street.

The MVCPA Training Team spent two days in Cibolo presenting our Basic Auto Theft for Patrol course, and we got to witness firsthand why this training matters.

On the first day, officers learned about trailer theft investigations and trailer identification. While class was still in session the second day, officers in the field stopped a trailer they suspected might be stolen. Calls started coming into the classroom from officers seeking guidance on the trailer and its identifying information. During a break, they stopped by to discuss the details with the instructors and apply what they had just learned.

There’s no better example of training making an immediate impact.

Seeing officers put newly learned skills to work the very next day reinforces why MVCPA provides this training free of charge to law enforcement agencies across Texas. Our goal is simple: equip patrol officers with practical tools they can use in the field to identify vehicle crimes, recover stolen property, and better serve their communities.

A big thank you to the Cibolo Police Department for hosting us and supporting continued law enforcement education. We appreciate the partnership and look forward to seeing more success stories from the officers who attended.

Meet the Crew: The Faces Behind Organized Auto Theft

Auto theft isn't always a crime of opportunity. In many cases, it's organized, coordinated, and carried out by groups working together toward one goal—stealing your vehicle or its parts for profit.

A months-long investigation by the Garland Police Department recently disrupted an organized criminal crew believed to be responsible for at least 25 vehicle thefts and burglaries across Garland and neighboring communities, resulting in more than $62,000 in stolen property.

Investigators determined the group operated as a structured criminal organization, with members performing specific roles within the theft operation. The crew primarily targeted older-model Chevrolet, GMC, and Dodge trucks, as well as work vans.

Through collaboration between detectives, neighborhood police officers, and gang investigators, law enforcement identified the suspects and mapped their activities. Five individuals were arrested and charged with offenses including engaging in Organized Criminal Activity, theft of motor vehicles, burglary of motor vehicles, and theft of vehicle parts.

This is what auto thieves look like.

Not movie villains. Not master criminals. Just individuals making choices that impact hardworking vehicle owners, businesses, and communities.

Motor vehicle theft remains a gateway crime that often fuels other criminal activity. Every stolen vehicle represents more than property—it can mean missed work, lost income, interrupted businesses, and significant financial hardship for victims.

While law enforcement agencies work every day to investigate and disrupt organized theft rings, vehicle owners can help protect themselves by:

Always locking vehicles and taking keys.
Park in well-lit areas whenever possible.
Removing valuables from plain sight.
Reporting suspicious activity immediately.
Considering additional theft-deterrent devices for older-model vehicles.

The investigation remains ongoing as detectives continue to link additional cases and identify potential victims.

Protect it. It's yours.