Fort Worth police warn of rise in stolen license plates

Police said license plate thefts can happen quickly in a store parking lot or even in your own driveway.

A new year comes with a new warning from Fort Worth Police: Watch out for stolen license plates.

Fort Worth police officers are reporting an increase in license plate thefts, especially in the department’s Northwest Division, and it can lead to bigger problems like fraud and identity theft.

Police said license plate thefts can happen quickly. A driver parks at a store or returns home, and within seconds, a plate is gone.

“It did surprise me, it sure did,” said Jimmy Cook, who lives in Fort Worth.

Cook said his license plates were stolen after he got home from work.

“I was in my house and about 30 minutes later, my license plates were gone,” Cook said.

Fort Worth Police said stolen plates are often placed on other vehicles, sometimes stolen ones, and then used to commit additional crimes.

“They are using those plates, and they can put those in another vehicle, possibly a stolen vehicle, and then they commit crimes,” said Officer Daniel Segura with the Fort Worth Police Department.

Police said it’s often just the front license plate that’s taken-- possibly because it's facing a wall or another car, which provides cover.

“That can probably present a little hideout for the criminal to, you know, kneel down and take the license plate without being seen,” Segura said.

Segura said most vehicles have just two short screws, making plates easy to remove. He encouraged drivers to make plate checks part of their daily routine.

“When you go to the mall, when you go to the stores, even when you come out of the house, take a look, take a moment, see if you have both license plates,” Segura said. “If you are missing one, call it in.”

Cook said he’s relieved his stolen plates haven’t led to fraud, but he wants others to stay alert.

“Just be careful. Watch out!” Cook said.

What do you do if your license plates are stolen?

If your plates are missing, Fort Worth Police recommends drivers do the following:

• File a police report and request a copy, in case of legal or identity theft issues.
• Contact your county motor vehicle section to apply for a replacement license plate. Here’s the Tarrant County link.
• Check for unauthorized charges on your Toll Tag account.
• Inform your auto insurer and ask if you need to file a claim or take other action.
• Monitor your financial accounts and personal information because stolen license plates may be used in fraudulent activities.