Auto parts thieves operate under the cover of dawn, capable of stripping a car in just three hours or less. They steal tires, rims, mirrors, windshields, or simply the computer to render the vehicle unusable. So far this year, approximately 452 tons of automotive parts have been seized in raids carried out in different areas, according to data from the Mexico City Secretariat of Citizen Security (SSC).
The looters’ modus operandi is well-known: they operate in groups of three or four people and travel on motorcycles or on foot. This has been recorded on Mexico City government security cameras, especially from 2 to 5 a.m.; some have even been identified as men, whose ages range between 30 and 40.
Some alleged perpetrators were arrested and referred to the Public Prosecutor’s Office; however, none were brought before a supervisory judge.
From 2024 to date, 2,410 investigation files have been opened before the Attorney General’s Office (FGJ) for thefts committed mainly in Benito Juárez, Cuauhtémoc, Venustiano Carranza, and Tlalpan.
Four months ago, Mario Rodríguez had his car, a 2017 Chevrolet Sonic, broken into in the Portales neighborhood, and the vehicle’s computer and headlights were stolen. It has been a long journey to obtain these accessories, since, he said, the costs at dealerships are very high and auto parts stores can sell you a pig in a poke. So he turned to his mechanic to get the parts, for which he paid around 25,000 pesos.
He stated that he didn’t file a report for this theft because it’s useless; they just let them go and continue stealing, and it only wastes time.
Meanwhile, residents of Benito Juárez and Cuauhtémoc—the districts hardest hit by this crime—considered the city government’s strategy of operations to curb the sale of stolen auto parts to be a good one; however, they said they should be ongoing.
Managers of formally established auto parts stores indicated that inspections should be carried out in various areas because, for example, until 10 years ago, the Buenos Aires neighborhood was considered a hotspot for the illicit sale of auto parts. However, this has changed today because these dealers are moving to areas such as Iztapalapa.
Guaranteed Accessories
A walk through the streets of the Doctores and Buenos Aires neighborhoods showed that the few businesses offer mirrors starting at 500 pesos for cars over 30 years old, guaranteed, and already installed fenders, rims, and taillights for 1,600 pesos each for cars like a Nissan Versa. If they don’t have the requested part, either due to the car model, they only ask for a couple of days to get it.
The merchants mentioned that one of the best-selling parts in the area is headlights, which can sell for up to 15,000 pesos for Audi cars.
Meanwhile, mechanics’ shop workers stated that the most requested service for stolen vehicle accessories is the installation of computers, which can cost 10,000 pesos or more, depending on the car brand.
Source: jornada
