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FOR RELEASE: May 7, 2002
4-5-02
FOR INFORMATION:
Mitch Wilson/Mary Bonelli: 614.228.1593
After hours: Mitch - 614.868.0575/Mary - 614.443.0400
OHIO HIGHWAY PATROL TROOPERS RECOGNIZED FOR AUTO THEFT
RECOVERY EFFORTS
COLUMBUS-The recovery of over 37,600 vehicles valued at more
than $177 million can be attributed to the Ohio State Highway
Patrol's 30 year-old vehicle theft recovery program, according
to the Ohio Insurance Institute (OII). State Troopers involved
in last year's recovery efforts were honored recently by the
OII and Ohio's insurance industry in ceremonies held in Columbus.
The Ohio Highway Patrol's Blue Max "ACE" program
focuses on the recovery of stolen vehicles and apprehension
of alleged auto thieves. When a State Trooper stops a driver
for a moving violation, the vehicle's serial number is run
through a computerized database as a matter of routine to
determine ownership. If the vehicle was reported stolen, the
tracking system information reflects this and the Trooper
responds by apprehending the alleged thief and recovering
the vehicle.
Troopers receive a "lightning bolt" decal to display
on their patrol cars for every stolen vehicle recovered. Those
earning five or more bolts in a year are designated as an
"ACE." The Blue Max is awarded to the Ohio Trooper
recovering the most stolen vehicles during the year. The 2001
Blue Max Award was presented to Trooper Dana M. Hutton of
the Chillicothe post, who recovered 11 stolen vehicles valued
at over $60,000 and apprehended 14 suspects.
Other 2001 ACE recipients honored were: Trooper Christopher
F. Castellanos, Canton post; Trooper Bryan J. Cook, Dayton
post; Troopers Brandon L. Cruz and Samuel K. Hendricks, Circleville
post; Trooper Todd J. Cunningham, Marion post; Troopers Kenneth
M. Featherling and Eric A. Gekler, Mt. Gilead post; Troopers
Lawrence V. Firmi and Michael D. Kemmer, Mansfield post; Troopers
Shon L. Frost, Jason E. Highsmith, and Charles-Matthew J.
Wilkerson West Jefferson post; Trooper Aaron M. Hayes, Athens
post; Trooper Travis A. Hughes, Lima post; Trooper Christopher
S. Kelley, Portsmouth post; Troopers Mark L. Masters and Marold
S. Mills, Cambridge post; Trooper Kenneth A. Metz, Lisbon
post; Trooper Timothy A. Root, Granville post; Trooper Lance
S. Shearer, Delaware post; Trooper Larry A. Skaggs, Warren
post; Trooper Timothy J. Timberlake, Ravenna post; Trooper
Ryan S. Wilson, Findlay post; Trooper Andrew R. Worcester,
Fremont post; and Trooper Frank G. Vazquez, West Jefferson
post, was recognized as an Ace recipient posthumously.
According to the OII, the Ohio Highway Patrol recovered 933
vehicles valued at nearly $19.3 million and made 717 arrests
associated with auto theft in 2001. Over 28,000 auto theft-related
arrests can be attributed to the program since its inception
in 1972.
According to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reports, 39,026
vehicles were reported stolen in Ohio during 2000, a 0.4 percent
decrease from the previous year. OII estimates the 2000 value
of unrecovered vehicles exceeded $98.5 million.
The FBI also reports that in 1970, 84 percent of vehicle
owners whose cars were stolen got them back. By 2000, the
retrieval rate dropped to 62 percent.
The OII is a public information and trade association representing
insurance companies and agent groups for Ohio's property/casualty
insurance industry. A primary objective is to increase understanding
of insurance and related safety issues.
- 30 -
- CLICK
HERE for a summary of ACE statistics for the most
recent five-year period and brief bios of the 2001 honorees.
(PDF document)
- CLICK
HERE for additional auto theft statistics. (PDF
document)
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