Stylish, pricey and missing from the garage

WASHINGTON - The Cadillac Escalade is the vehicle most likely to be targeted by thieves, according to a report today by a research group funded by auto insurers.

The report, by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, reviewed insurance claims for thefts or break-ins for 2000-2002 model year cars, then compared those claims to the total number of insurance policies for each of those vehicles.

Based on theft claims per 1,000 insured vehicles, five of the top 10 vehicles stolen or broken into are SUVs.

As far as the most frequently stolen vehicles are concerned, the Toyota Camry has held that dubious distinction for six straight years, according to the Chicago-based CCC Information Systems Inc., which tracks the total number of vehicles stolen.

Camry didn't make it into the Insurance Institute's top 10 list, because the Camry's percentage of theft claims is low compared with the large number of Camrys on the road.

The $55,000 Escalade is not among the favorites of Tampa Bay area thieves.

"That's something out of the clear blue," St. Petersburg Detective Richard Crater said.

But he did recognize the second car on the list: Dodge Stratus.

The Stratus was the four-door car most likely to be targeted, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Insurance Institute spokesman Russ Rader said the ratings are helpful for consumers because they may end up paying more to insure a vehicle with a higher likelihood of theft.

There are fewer Escalades on the road, but the SUVs are four times more likely to be stolen or broken into than the average vehicle, the institute said.

In Pinellas County this year, the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Honda Civic have been reported stolen most frequently - about 15 each since Jan. 1.

In Hillsborough County, 31 Cadillacs have been stolen since Jan. 1, and only two Escalades.

Scott Larguier, general manager of Dew Cadillac in St. Petersburg, said a thief would have a hard time keeping the Escalade hidden. The cars are connected to the On-Star navigation system, which can track their location by satellite. Also, if the car is stolen and tracked, the system could beam a signal to shut off the engine, Larguier said.

"I say this somewhat tongue in cheek, but it's an aspirational product," Larguier said. "Thieves have aspirations as well."

- Times staff writer Jamie Jones contributed to this report.

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