Syracuse police warn of rising car thefts across the city

Syracuse police are warning residents about a recent rise in car thefts across the city, and the advice from law enforcement is blunt: stay alert, report suspicious activity and do not confront suspected thieves directly.

The latest warning lands in a city that has already been living with an unusually high theft rate. As of Dec. 9, 2024, Syracuse had 1,056 stolen cars, a 14% increase from the year before and a pace that pointed toward a new record. In August 2024, the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office said there were 77 vehicle thefts in the county in a single week, with officials saying many of the suspects were juveniles. Onondaga County was also among the highest vehicle-theft-rate counties in New York state in 2024.

The pattern has also changed. Earlier thefts drew attention because of Kia and Hyundai models, but local reporting in December 2024 said thieves had shifted toward Infiniti Q50, Lexus, Nissan and Toyota vehicles. Police said the newer thefts may be tied to social media instructions and the availability of a reprogramming device, a combination that can make certain cars easier targets when they are parked on city streets, in lots or in other unsecured spaces.

State leaders have already moved to respond. In September 2023, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the Comprehensive Auto-Theft Reduction Strategy, a $55 million anti-car-theft effort designed to slow the surge that had spread through Syracuse, Onondaga County and other parts of New York. The state plan brought together New York State government, New York State Police and the Division of Criminal Justice Services as part of a wider crackdown on organized theft.

For Syracuse drivers, the immediate risk is not abstract. A stolen car can leave a family without transportation, interrupt a commute and trigger repair, insurance and replacement costs that linger long after the vehicle is gone. Police and county officials are urging residents to lock vehicles, watch for suspicious behavior and call police instead of trying to stop thieves themselves. With thefts still running high in Central New York, the pressure is now on whether enforcement can keep up with the evolving target list.