Car thieves get creative as overall numbers drop

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Despite a huge drop in the number of stolen cars in Chicago, police are warning that crooks are getting creative.

In 2000, people reported nearly 30,000 cars stolen in Chicago.

In 2013, the number dropped to less than half that. Still, there is an average of 34 cars reported stolen every day in the city.

Police have busted some calculating car crooks. They've found vehicles being towed off the street by disreputable tow truck drives and brought to the salvage yard to be destroyed. Police have also found that since new cars have advanced ignition systems that don't allow them to be hotwired as they used to be, car thieves are perpetrating other crimes to gain control of the keys and thus take the car.

Police also say it's important to note that older model cars with less-sophisticated ignition systems are easier prey for thieves.