These are the days, times, and places with the most vehicle thefts in Colombia.

The most recent report by Ituran Colombia, based on monitoring of its Stolen Vehicle Recovery (SVR) system, determined that 70% of vehicle thefts in the country are concentrated in Bogotá, Antioquia, Atlántico, and Valle del Cauca. Between June and August 2025, according to figures from the National Police, 2,194 vehicle thefts and 8,030 motorcycle thefts were recorded, consolidating this crime as one of the main threats to citizen security.

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Bogotá and its surrounding areas accounted for 30% of the cases, followed by Antioquia with 18.5%, Atlántico with 11%, and Valle del Cauca with 10.5%. Urban areas maintain the highest incidence, in part due to high vehicle density, constant mobility , and the ease with which criminals can move stolen vehicles without raising suspicion.

The Ituran report indicates that these conditions favor the activities of gangs, which operate quickly in areas with heavy traffic and limited surveillance. The data, obtained from monitoring their protected fleet, allows for the identification of patterns in schedules, modes, and types of vehicles most vulnerable during the quarter analyzed.

Private vehicles, the most affected

Ituran's analysis shows that private cars, vans, and SUVs account for 62.5% of reported thefts, followed by trucks at 35% and motorcycles at 2.5%. The pattern shows that criminals prioritize everyday vehicles, possibly due to their high traffic and ease of sale on illegal markets.

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Many private vehicle owners lack tracking or advanced security systems, increasing their vulnerability to corporate fleets or actively monitored vehicles. The report highlights that this technological gap can determine the likelihood of theft and the possibility of subsequent recovery.

"These data reflect both the level of risk drivers face and the effectiveness of the technology and expert support. At Ituran, we remain committed to providing real security, working hand in hand with our users and authorities to reduce vehicle theft in the country," the company stated.

Regarding the timing, the report contradicts the idea that robberies occur primarily in the early morning. Thirty-eight percent of cases occur between 12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., while 33.5% occur between 6:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Criminals take advantage of peak urban activity times, when constant movement and general distraction make it easier to steal without being detected.

Modalities and risk factors

The most common type, representing 50% of the reports handled, is preemptive cases in which the vehicle has not been completely stolen. In these incidents, confusion due to forgetting the parking spot, towing, or the owner's lack of communication with authorities leads to false theft reports.

Twenty-seven percent of cases are actual thefts involving theft of trust. In these cases, criminals exploit close ties to steal the vehicle, demonstrating greater sophistication in their criminal strategies. The remaining 23% are distributed among traditional methods such as outright robbery, robbery, fraudulent leasing, or deception using scopolamine.

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Among the factors that increase the risk of theft, the report identifies unsafe parking on public roads, the lack of surveillance, the lack of internal security protocols and the lack of additional technological accessories to GPS, such as panic buttons or driver identification. It also warns about the overconfidence of some drivers, who allow access to strangers under the request of "cargo services" or transportation, which exposes them to possible aggression or substances such as scopolamine. PAULA GALEANO BALAGUERA

Portfolio Journalist