The Lake County Police Auto Theft Unit is one of the many specialized Units that operate out of the Criminal Investigations Division of Sheriff's Department. This Unit handles all vehicle related crimes, be it Auto Theft, Car Jacking, Insurance Fraud, Chop shops etc…

One of the main reasons this Unit has been so successful is the cooperative partnership that they have built with other law enforcement agencies, civic organizations, insurance industry along with the citizens of Lake County. Fighting the most expensive property Crime in this Country is a joint effort and not one agency or individual can handle it by himself or herself. That is one of the main reasons the 1-800 Tip Line was started. Without this partnership, we are never going to get a handle on any of these crimes that no one is immune too. Furthermore Auto Theft, Carjacking, Insurance Fraud etc. have no jurisdictions boundaries and cost all of us, Millions of dollars in higher insurance costs along with replacement of your vehicle.

The Lake County Auto Theft Unit also works closely with the National Insurance Crime Bureau, and hold memberships to such groups as the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators (North Central Chapter) and I-Act (Indiana Anti - Car Theft Committee) of which Lake County detectives chaired the Northwest Chapter in 1999. This Unit, has been requested to not only assist agencies in Lake County, but also ATF, DEA, FBI, and surrounding Counties and States. With the full support of the Sheriff, the detectives in this unit hold instructors ratings and teach basic classes in Auto Theft recognition at the N.W. Indiana Recruit Academy. Furthermore, these detectives teach advanced classes to detectives in the identification, handling and building cases dealing with vehicle related crimes.