Vehicle Crimes Unit

The Vehicle Crimes Unit investigates: 

  • Vehicle thefts
  • Stolen vehicle parts
  • Theft of trailers
  • Theft of boats/watercraft
  • Theft of ATV’s/golf carts
  • Theft of heavy equipment
  • Unauthorized use of motor vehicles
  • Theft of service vehicles
  • Complaints involving private wrecker companies

Stolen Vehicles

To report a vehicle stolen, complete and submit the Stolen Vehicle Affidavit (Form 180-SVA)(PDF, 111KB) to the Vehicle Crimes Unit.

If a vehicle is stolen while under a rental agreement, you must complete the steps in the Rental Company Complaint Packet(PDF, 167KB) for the vehicle to be recorded as stolen. If you have any questions in completing the packet, you can contact our office. 

Surveillance Video Submission

If you have surveillance video of the offense, contact the Vehicle Crimes Unit to arrange delivery of your files. Have the case number and location of the offense handy for all communications. Smaller clips are preferred, as large files cannot always be accepted. 

The license plate and/or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) are necessary for the vehicle to be listed as stolen in the national database. If you have already filed a police report and need to add additional information, please complete a Supplementary Property Loss Report(PDF, 108KB) and email it to the Vehicle Crimes Unit. 

Recovering and Reviewing Impounded Vehicles 

Alanis Wrecker Service, LLC manages impounded vehicles for the City of San Antonio. Visit their website to locate your vehicle and find out how to recover it.

68-A Inspections

Law enforcement officials conduct 68-A inspections to verify the identity of a vehicle for registration purposes.

The SAPD Vehicle Crimes Unit partners with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TXDMV) to conduct 68-A inspections on the 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Wednesday of every month. An appointment must be made in advance by calling the Regional Service Center at 210-731-2130.

Inspections are conducted at the TXDMV San Antonio Regional Service Center located at:

15150 Nacogdoches Rd., Suite 100
San Antonio, TX 78247
Directions

For more information on the VIN assignment process, please visit the TXDMV website.

VIN Etching

VIN etching is the permanent engraving of a vehicle’s registered vehicle identification number (VIN) onto the windshield and windows. The SAPD Vehicle Crimes Unit conducts several free VIN Etching events throughout the year. If you would like to host an event, please contact the Vehicle Crimes Unit.