KUSA - It seems license plates are a hot commodity -- at least when it comes to thieves who want the date stickers that prove car-owners paid their registration.
They aren't that easy to peel off, so one thief has figured out a creative way to get one involving a pair of metal cutters.
Denver resident Jeff Miller said his car was the target – or more specifically, his specialized Colorado license plate.
Miller said he went to pick up his Subaru on July 16 from North Denver Automotive, where it was being serviced. When he arrived, he noticed a chunk of his license plate was gone. Someone cut off the lower right corner of the plate where the date sticker was attached.
"If you try to peel off the sticker it takes time. If you try to unscrew the plate it takes time. Apparently it's just a quicker way to get that year tag off," Miller said. "It did catch my eye with the corner of the plate cut off."
Denver Police Lt. Jeffrey Martinez said it is not uncommon for thieves to steal license plates or to peel off up-to-date tags to save money.
But a thief cutting off a piece of the plate to get the tag is a technique not often seen.
"It allows them to take their time once they are home to carefully peel off the sticker," Martinez said. "And once they steal it, they'll put it on their license plate so when it comes time to renew it- it looks like they've already renewed it because it will have a different year and a different month on it…and it is a crime that is happening all over the country."
Martinez said in other states, like Pennsylvania—date stickers will be issued with a sliced "x" through it. The idea: to force thieves to peel off stickers in several pieces making them harder to steal and put back together.
It's a technique that DPD has asked the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles to implement. Martinez said that conversation is still on-going. In the meantime, Martinez advises car-owners to park in well-lit areas, or a garage if possible.
There are also special license plate screws that cannot be removed with a normal screwdriver and metal license plate frames that help secure plates.
For thieves who are caught stealing a license plate or a tag—it's a misdemeanor for theft.
DPD said if someone steals your license plates or sticker, file a police report immediately.
(© 2015 KUSA)
