Pickup Tailgate Thefts Rise in Oklahoma

Law enforcement officials in Tulsa, Okla., have seen a spike in pickup truck tailgate thefts. In fact, stolen tailgates accounted for many of the 300 parts ripped from vehicles in Tulsa last year, according to a report on KTUL.

Experts say thieves are taking the tailgates to chop shops as well as selling them on eBay and Craigslist. Replacing a stolen one with a new tailgate can cost an owner upwards of $1,200. But there's a simple fix — keep the tailgate locked and for extra security, owners can purchase an additional safety lock.

Though pickup truck tailgate thefts declined slightly in 2017, the crime remains a problem nationwide. The fact is, tailgates are easy to steal and they're worth a lot of money — making them an appealing target.

According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), the number of thefts nationwide fell from 1,877 in 2016 to 1,788 in 2017 — about a 5% decrease. However, these numbers are based on insurance claims. The actual figures could be higher as some thefts go unreported.

Texas and California experienced the lion's share — approximately 60% combined — of pickup truck tailgate thefts in 2016-2017, with 1,360 and 1,039 respectively.

Other states that ranked among the top five for tailgate theft include Florida with 240, Arizona with 156, and Nevada with 107. According to the National Insurance Cri,me Bureau (NICB) NICB, Oklahoma ranked ninth in the nation for tailgate theft in 2016-2017. To learn more, watch the report on KTUL.

Originally posted on Automotive Fleet