12 Items Car Thieves Love to Steal in Georgia
It takes less than 30 seconds for a thief to break into a car, grab something, and disappear. And what they want most isn’t always what you’d expect.
Sometimes it’s a phone charger. Other times it’s a pair of sunglasses. Whatever it is, they know exactly what to look for—and how to get it fast.
Before you leave your car thinking, “This’ll only take a minute,” here’s a look at the top things Georgia’s thieves are just waiting for you to forget.
Vehicle Paperwork
Most folks don’t think twice about keeping their car registration and insurance papers in the glovebox. After all, where else would you keep them?
But here’s the thing—if someone breaks into your car and finds those documents, they’ve now got your full name, home address, and car info in one neat little bundle.
That’s a dream come true for someone trying to commit identity theft, clone your car’s identity, or even create fake sale paperwork to sell a stolen vehicle.
Instead of storing all your paperwork in the glovebox, keep a copy of just what’s needed and leave the rest at home. You can even black out personal info on duplicates, just in case.
Garage Door Openers and Spare Keys
You might not think of your garage remote or spare key as big-ticket items, but car thieves sure do.
If someone breaks into your car and finds either one, congratulations—you’ve just given them a way into your house.
Even worse? If you’ve got mail or paperwork in the car that lists your home address, they’ve now got the whole package: your car, your home, and the means to access both.
Never leave garage openers or spare keys in your vehicle. Not in the console. Not clipped to your visor. Not under the seat.
Loose Change
You might look at that handful of quarters in your cup holder and think, “Not worth the hassle.” But to a car thief, that’s easy pickings.
Loose change is the fast food of theft—no effort, instant reward. And if your window’s already down a crack or your door’s unlocked?
That’s basically an open invitation.
Even a few bucks scattered around can be enough to tempt a thief passing by. Especially in big parking lots where they can hit a few cars in a row, those little piles of change add up fast.
So even if it’s “just vending machine money,” stash it out of sight. Better yet, don’t leave any behind.
That random $1.75 could end up costing you a $250 window repair.
Backpacks and Purses
Thieves don’t care if your bag is full of gold bars or sweaty gym socks. If they see a purse or backpack sitting on the seat, they’re going to assume there’s something valuable inside—and they’ll break your window to find out.
To a thief, a backpack might mean a laptop. A purse? Maybe a wallet, phone, or prescription medicine they can flip for cash.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a diaper bag or your lunch sack—if it looks like it could hold something good, it’s fair game.
Moral of the story? Never leave bags in your car in plain view.
If you absolutely have to leave one behind, hide it before you even get to your parking spot. Don’t let anyone see you stashing it in the trunk or under the seat.
Electronics
If you’ve got a tablet, phone, or even just a charging cable hanging out on the dash, thieves are going to take notice.
These gadgets are small, valuable, and easy to sell. Even the cord alone tells them, “Hey, there could be a phone in here somewhere.”
Thieves don’t need a full tech setup. A cheap GPS unit or Bluetooth speaker is enough to make your car their next target. And once they’re inside, they’ll usually rummage around for other valuables while they’re at it.
Best move?
Take your electronics with you every time. Even if it’s just a quick run into the store, that’s all the time a thief needs to make off with your stuff.
Sunglasses
You know those designer shades you toss on the dash or clip to your visor? Thieves love those.
They don’t care if they’re Ray-Bans or knockoffs. As long as they look fancy, they’re getting swiped.
Sunglasses are perfect for car burglars: they’re lightweight, sellable, and often overlooked by the owner until it’s too late. Plus, a nice pair of shades can go for a pretty penny at pawn shops or online marketplaces.
If you’re serious about keeping your sunglasses, don’t display them like showroom pieces.
Tuck them into the glovebox or take them with you—yes, even the ones you got on sale at the gas station.
Catalytic Converters
Some thieves don’t even need to break into your car to score big. They just slide underneath and steal your catalytic converter.
Why?
Because it’s stuffed with precious metals like platinum and rhodium that can be worth hundreds.
These crooks bring power tools, crawl under your car (especially if it’s a truck or SUV), and slice that thing off in under 90 seconds. When you start your car the next day and it sounds like a monster truck, you’ll know they paid you a visit.
Want to stop it? You can install anti-theft devices like catalytic converter shields, etch your VIN on the part, or park in well-lit areas where thieves are less likely to risk it.
GPS Units
Even though most people use smartphones now, there are still plenty of folks rocking those old-school GPS units. And thieves are totally fine with that.
A GPS device is small, usually valuable, and easy to fence.
But here’s the kicker—even if you remove it, that little ring left on your windshield from the suction cup gives you away. It’s like leaving breadcrumbs for a burglar.
Wipe down your windshield and stash the whole setup—GPS, mount, cord, and all—when you park.
A clean dash is a lot less tempting than one that whispers, “There’s tech in here.”
Aftermarket Sound Systems
That booming sound system you love so much? It’s music to a thief’s ears, too.
Custom subwoofers, amps, and speakers are a huge draw because they’re worth a lot and usually not secured well.
If your car has visible aftermarket gear and you like blasting tunes in the parking lot, you’re basically advertising what’s inside. Some thieves even follow loud cars just to mark them for later.
To avoid becoming their next gig, install gear that’s hidden or lock it down with anti-theft brackets.
And maybe don’t rattle the neighborhood at 11 p.m.—just sayin’.
Tool Kits and Emergency Gear
You’d think thieves wouldn’t bother with things like jumper cables or first-aid kits, but guess what? They do.
Emergency tool kits are full of stuff that’s useful, resellable, or even usable in future crimes.
Flashlights, tire inflators, screwdrivers, crowbars—all that gear is gold to a thief. They’ll happily lift the whole bag and deal with sorting it out later.
If you’re going to keep tools in your vehicle, lock them up in a compartment or at least cover them.
Bright red or orange gear bags are easy to spot, so hide those colors under a seat or in a trunk.
Chargers and Cables
You might think your phone charger isn’t worth stealing, but car thieves beg to differ.
If it’s a nice brand, a wireless charger, or even just paired with a dashboard mount, it’s leaving clues that your car holds more than meets the eye.
Plus, those accessories are easy to resell and often go unnoticed by the owner until way later. That’s a win-win for a thief.
Don’t leave cords dangling or plugged in when you’re not around.
It makes your car look valuable and gives crooks one more reason to poke around.
Mail and Packages
Running errands and leaving a package or stack of mail in your back seat? Bad idea.
Thieves love packages because they’re mystery boxes—could be socks, could be electronics. They’ll happily roll the dice.
Mail is even worse. Letters from your bank, tax forms, or anything with your name and address are a dream come true for identity thieves.
So if you’ve got mail or deliveries in your car, don’t leave them behind. Bring them inside or hide them so well no one would even guess they’re there.
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