It is estimated that over 350,000 cars are stolen or broken into each year and this number is steadily increasing due to the popularity of aftermarket parts.
There are some simple steps you can take to make sure you're not the next victim:
Make sure you keep valuables out of sight when your car is unattended. Always close and lock your doors and sunroof. Even if you are just running into a gas station, that is all the time needed for someone to take personal items or even worse your car. If you haven't already got one, have an alarm and/or engine immobilizer installed.
If you can't afford it, sometimes a simple "fake alarm" decal and blinking light will keep a car thief from breaking into your car because they do not want to take the chance of setting off an alarm. Will this stop them? No.
Always leave your car in the most visible location, especially if it's staying there overnight. Don't forget to park under a well-lighted area so your car is not in the shadows where someone will have a much easier time breaking in.
Have your windows and windscreen etched with your car's number plate or VIN number. In most cases, they want your car for parts and will strip it in no time. If you have the parts etched, it will make it a lot harder for them to sell the parts after you report your car stolen.
To keep your tires and rims from getting stolen, replace one nut on each wheel with a locking version that needs a special adaptor to remove. Or better yet, get a set of Kyokugen or Ray's Lug Nuts and replace the stock lugs. 
