A car stolen in DC got a clean title in Virginia --- then it was stolen again

WASHINGTON (7News) — The nation’s capital averages 20 cars stolen a day. As of Dec. 20, an ominous 6,666 cars were swiped from D.C.’s streets through 2023, according to police. Buried in this troubling crime spike, one theft stands out: the same car stolen, not once, but twice.

Surveillance video from a diplomatic mission, blocks from the White House, shows thieves breaking into and driving away in a diplomat's car on July 5. On July 7, Virginia’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) said it unknowingly titled the stolen car.

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“We did title it,” Virginia’s Director of Vehicle Services Melanie Lester said. “If we receive a title and we don’t have alerts in our system it's going to process without error and that title will be issued.”

Typically, stolen vehicles are logged into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), a database that state DMVs, including Virginia's, should check before issuing new titles. However, in this case, the NCIC didn't list the car as stolen until July 26, almost a month after the theft.

“Our system was working properly on the day we produced this title,” Lester said of the title produced on July 7.

D.C. Police insist they entered the stolen car into the NCIC database the day it was stolen. The surveillance video shows a D.C. Police officer taking a police report in the stolen car’s vacated parking space.

“The vehicle was entered into National Crime Information Center (NCIC) as a stolen vehicle at 7:07 p.m. on July 5,” the Deputy Director of Police Communications Paris Lewbel wrote in an email. “We cannot provide a copy of the record due to the policies around the NCIC system, but we can confirm the correct VIN, which is shown on the police report, was entered into [the] NCIC system as stolen at 7:07 p.m.”

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The Virginia DMV did provide a screenshot of its computer system showing the car listed as stolen on July 26, 2023. Virginia officials said they became aware of the titling error when the car was stolen for a second time in D.C. in August.

Both D.C. Police and the Virginia DMV call the titling of a stolen car “unprecedented.” In Virginia, the case led to a review of their procedures and systems. The car’s owner now has it back.

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Tips on Preventing Car Theft:

• Lock Your Doors: Always lock your car, even if you're stepping away for a moment.
• Secure Your Keys: Never leave your keys in the car, and avoid leaving them in easily accessible places.
• Park Smart: Choose well-lit, secure areas for parking. Closed garages are ideal.
• Use Anti-Theft Devices: Steering wheel locks, brake pedal locks, and vehicle immobilizers can deter thieves.
• Install a Tracking System: GPS tracking systems can help recover your vehicle if stolen.
• Be Alert: Pay attention to your surroundings, especially in high-theft areas.