Jalopnik - Obsessed with the culture of cars

U.S. Attorney's Office Charges 11 People In Massive Multi-Million-Dollar Fake Temporary License Plate Scheme

staff@jalopnik.com (Justin Hughes) — Fri, 29 May 2026 19:25:00 +0000

The alleged criminal plot used to avoid tolls and fines spans several states, with over 100,000 fake temporary license plates being printed in the last decade.

Flock License Plate Readers Drive Small Town Into A State Of Emergency

staff@jalopnik.com (Justin Hughes) — Wed, 20 May 2026 18:25:00 +0000

Troy has 26 cameras across the city, but neither the citizens of Troy nor the city council were consulted about the money required to fund the cameras.

Forget Becoming An Auto Journalist, The CIA's Job Benefits Sound Way Better

staff@jalopnik.com (Collin Woodard) — Thu, 28 May 2026 22:59:51 +0000

If this is the first time you're learning that automakers don't hand out gold bars on press trips, I'm sorry. At this point, we don't even get thumb drives.

App That Might Allow Users To Bypass Emissions Controls Used As Justification For Federal Privacy Overreach

staff@jalopnik.com (Justin Hughes) — Tue, 19 May 2026 17:25:00 +0000

The DOJ has subpoenaed tech giants Apple and Google in an attempt to get user information on a device that could be used to defeat emissions controls.

Cop Tickets Woman For Holding Cell Phone In A Right Hand That Doesn't Exist [Update]

staff@jalopnik.com (Justin Hughes) — Wed, 27 May 2026 16:47:07 +0000

At first, she has a good sense of humor about it. After all, she doesn't have a right hand, the officer must have made a mistake. Now she's going to trial.

Police Seize Stolen Corvette After Pursuit, Driver Claims It's His And Steals It Back From Impound Lot

staff@jalopnik.com (Justin Hughes) — Thu, 21 May 2026 19:25:00 +0000

On top of the charges from the initial police pursuit, the driver is now facing charges for breaking into the impound lot and stealing the car a second time.

Airbag Thefts Are On The Rise, Because Apparently They're Really Easy To Steal

staff@jalopnik.com (Justin Hughes) — Mon, 18 May 2026 13:25:00 +0000

Massive recalls started a domino effect that led to a huge demand for airbags, and not enough supply. So now, theft of the hot commodity is on the rise.

How Ford Designed Its Capless Fuel Filler To Reduce Gasoline Theft

staff@jalopnik.com (Kiran Menon) — Sun, 17 May 2026 09:25:00 +0000

Capless fuel fillers are becoming increasingly common, thanks partly to the efforts of Ford. But what has the Blue Oval done to keep thieves away from your gas?

Florida Man Had 'No Remorse' After Shooting At Car That Brake Checked Him

staff@jalopnik.com (Justin Hughes) — Sun, 17 May 2026 00:05:00 +0000

Several shots were fired, putting holes in the windshield of the victim's car, as well as through the back seat where a child booster seat was located.

PennDOT Screwed Up Thousands Of Road Tests And Is Making Drivers Retake It

staff@jalopnik.com (Erik Sherman) — Sat, 16 May 2026 15:25:00 +0000

PennDOT says the affected motorists will have to swap their licenses for learner's permits should they be unable to retest, which is a big setback.

Salvage Yard Finds Nine Pounds Of Meth Stashed Inside A Junk Car's Door

staff@jalopnik.com (Justin Hughes) — Fri, 15 May 2026 19:25:00 +0000

The car had been on the lot for a year when a customer removed a door panel to discover the first bag of meth, followed by several more inside the other door.

The Best Way To Prevent Drunk Driving Is To Use Confiscated Corvettes To Promote Awareness Says Long Island Police

staff@jalopnik.com (Logan K. Carter) — Wed, 13 May 2026 18:25:00 +0000

The C8 in question has just around 3,000 miles on its odometer, so the repeat DWI offender must have only taken it out on special occasions.

Here's How To Find A Hidden Tracking Device On Your Car

staff@jalopnik.com (B. L. Johnson) — Sat, 09 May 2026 20:05:00 +0000

Do you suspect a hidden tracker is on your car? Here's how to spot signs, where to look, and what specific steps to take if you discover you're being followed.

Are Immobilizers Effective At Preventing Car Thefts?

staff@jalopnik.com (Charles Krome) — Sat, 09 May 2026 17:05:00 +0000

Even as vehicles gain new security systems, thieves are always figuring out new ways to break into them. So is it even worthwhile to put immobilizers in cars?

Busted Bronx Auto Part Theft Ring Operated 'Like A Race Car Pit Crew In The Dead Of Night'

staff@jalopnik.com (Justin Hughes) — Tue, 05 May 2026 16:05:00 +0000

Police say the ring sold $1.2 million of parts, while the cost of stolen property and vehicle damage was closer to $2 million.

The Fate Of A Stolen Car Could Turn An Auto-Enthusiast's Stomach

staff@jalopnik.com (Marko Mikulic) — Sat, 02 May 2026 20:05:00 +0000

Being the victim of a car theft isn't just hard on your wallet. For enthusiasts, it's also devastating to learn what happens to vehicles after the crime occurs.

Tow Company Ignores New Laws Specifically Designed To Help Low Income Folks

staff@jalopnik.com (Logan K. Carter) — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 03:25:00 +0000

Small violations, like not displaying a proper parking permit, could get you towed, but that's just the start of the problems with these towing practices.

Suspected Car Thief Spider-Mans Through Underside Of Bridge Trying To Escape Police

staff@jalopnik.com (Nico DeMattia) — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 15:25:00 +0000

After chasing the stolen Civic, police had to shut down the bridge, bring fireboats units into the bay, and bring hostage negotiators to the scene.

The 10 Vehicles Most Likely To Get Stolen In The US

staff@jalopnik.com (Josh West) — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 12:45:00 +0000

There are lots of "most stolen" lists, and they include many popular cars. But if we measure likelihood of theft a different way, the results change.

A Miami Waitress Allegedly Claimed $180,000 Per Month Income To Finance C8 Corvette, Mercedes S560, And More

staff@jalopnik.com (Nico DeMattia) — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 21:05:00 +0000

The idea was to buy a bunch of cars in quick succession, using fraudulent information, before the purchases show up on a credit report, then bail.