Texas Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority

Texas Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority The official page of the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority (MVCPA), a division of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.

The Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority (MVCPA) has fostered a statewide cooperative network of law enforcement groups, prosecutors, insurance industry representatives, local tax assessor-collectors, and concerned citizens to combat vehicle theft and burglary through enforcement, prevention, public information, and education initiatives. In addition to providing guidance and oversight, MVCPA

awards financial grants to agencies, organizations, and concerned parties in an effort to raise public awareness of vehicle theft and burglary and implement education and prevention initiatives. Established by the 72nd Texas Legislature in 1991, the Texas Automobile Theft Prevention Authority (ATPA) became the first statewide effort to reduce auto theft. The 80th Legislature amended the ATPA mission in House Bill 1887 to also emphasize reducing vehicle burglaries. The resulting agency, the Texas Auto Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority (ABTPA), is charged with assessing automobile burglary, theft, and economic theft (burglary or theft committed for financial gain) in Texas, analyzing the methods and providing financial support to combat the problems. In 2009, the ABTPA became part of the newly established Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. The name was changed to Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority in 2019.

Catalytic converters aren’t exactly the first thing that comes to mind when you think “valuable.”They’re dirty. They’re ...
09/01/2026

Catalytic converters aren’t exactly the first thing that comes to mind when you think “valuable.”

They’re dirty. They’re underneath your vehicle. Most people couldn’t point one out if they tried.

And yet—they get stolen.

So what makes this particular piece of your exhaust system worth crawling under a vehicle for?

Swipe. We’ll explain

A long-term investigation into an alleged petroleum theft operation involving a Texas-based oil and gas company doing bu...
08/27/2026

A long-term investigation into an alleged petroleum theft operation involving a Texas-based oil and gas company doing business as Vallee has resulted in six arrests and the seizure of millions of dollars in assets.

Beginning August 12, the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Organized Oilfield Theft Prevention Unit, working alongside local, state and federal partners, executed 17 search warrants across Texas and Oklahoma as part of an investigation into the alleged trafficking and resale of stolen petroleum products.

The seizures included:

• 60 vehicles valued at approximately $2.85 million
• More than $786,000 in cash
• Approximately 2,600 barrels of petroleum products valued at more than $220,000
• Jewelry and luxury watches valued at approximately $443,000
• Eight bank accounts containing an estimated $8 million

The warrants were served in Reeves, Rockwall, Kaufman and Hunt counties in Texas and Garvin County, Oklahoma.

Motor vehicle crime can be tied to larger organized criminal activity — and this investigation shows just how far those connections can reach. Vehicles can be assets, tools and evidence within much larger criminal enterprises.

Six individuals, including members of the company’s corporate leadership, were arrested and face state charges. The investigation remains active, with additional arrests and seizures anticipated.

This is why partnerships across jurisdictions matter. Follow the vehicle. Follow the money. Follow the evidence.

08/26/2026

You locked the truck. You locked the house.

But there might be one thing sitting outside you forgot about. 👀

This is your reminder to go check.

TASK FORCE TUESDAY | Maverick CountyFor the Maverick County Sheriff's Office Auto Crimes Task Force vehicle crime can b...
08/25/2026

TASK FORCE TUESDAY | Maverick County

For the Maverick County Sheriff's Office Auto Crimes Task Force vehicle crime can be about much more than a stolen vehicle.

Established in 2025, this newer MVCPA-funded task force works along the Texas-Mexico border in an area where auto theft can intersect with organized crime, trafficking, and smuggling activity. Stolen vehicles can become tools for other crimes — making auto crime investigations an important piece of a much bigger picture.

The task force serves Maverick County, covering more than 1,200 square miles, approximately 80 miles of international border and two international bridges. Their territory stretches from Eagle Pass to rural communities and ranch country, giving this team a pretty unique area to protect.

Their mission includes investigating motor vehicle theft, vehicle burglaries and fraud-related auto crimes, while also working prevention efforts within the community.

📸 Photo 1: Commander Jose Ramos, Sheriff Tom Schmerber, Chief Roberto Deleon, Commander David Villanueva and Lt. Efrain Valdez.

📸 Photo 2: Members of the Auto Crimes Unit with Grant Coordinator Isaak Ruiz.

They may be one of the newer task forces in the MVCPA network, but they’re working in an area where stopping vehicle crime can have an impact far beyond recovering a stolen vehicle.

Maverick County Sheriff's Office

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas — A stolen vehicle investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies led to the recover...
08/24/2026

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas — A stolen vehicle investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies led to the recovery of a Toyota Tacoma and the arrest of two Houston men.

On Aug. 18, 2026, the Montgomery County Auto Theft Task Force began investigating the theft of a 2017 Toyota Tacoma reported stolen from an H-E-B near the 3500 block of Rayford Road.

Investigators reviewed surveillance footage from the location and identified a black Cadillac CT5 believed to be connected to the theft. The investigation subsequently identified two suspects, 29-year-old Josue Zamarron and 26-year-old Alberth Mosquera, both of Houston.

Working with Constable Ryan Gable, Pct. 3 Constable, Montgomery County, TX, Texas Department of Public Safety, and Houston Police Department Auto Theft Task Force, investigators located and recovered the stolen Tacoma in Houston.

Zamarron and Mosquera were taken into custody without incident and booked into the Montgomery County Jail on charges of Theft of a Motor Vehicle and Possession of Criminal Instruments.

Investigators also determined Zamarron had an outstanding arrest warrant related to a separate stolen Toyota Tacoma reported on Aug. 10.

The investigation highlights the coordination between local and state law enforcement agencies in identifying suspects, recovering stolen vehicles, and investigating motor vehicle crime across jurisdictional lines.

The Montgomery County Auto Theft Task Force is partially funded and trained by the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority (MVCPA).

Ever wonder where that fee on your auto insurance policy goes? Here’s one answer. 👇A 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air, valued at m...
08/19/2026

Ever wonder where that fee on your auto insurance policy goes? Here’s one answer. 👇

A 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air, valued at more than $75,000, was recently stolen from Williamson County. Through the work of the Heart of Texas Auto Theft Task Force and Harris County Constable Precinct 4, the classic Chevy was located in Spring, Texas.

The Heart of Texas Auto Theft Taskforce is grant funded by MVCPA—putting those dollars to work investigating vehicle crime and recovering stolen property across Texas.

And in this case, they didn’t just recover a $75,000 car. They returned a piece of someone’s history that carried a whole lot more than a price tag.

The investigation remains ongoing. Great work by everyone involved.

This week’s Task Force Tuesday heads to North Texas to spotlight the Northern Collin/Denton County Auto Theft Task Force...
08/18/2026

This week’s Task Force Tuesday heads to North Texas to spotlight the Northern Collin/Denton County Auto Theft Task Force (NCDCATTF) — one of MVCPA’s newer grant-funded task forces, first receiving MVCPA funding in FY25.

The NCDCATTF was established to prevent, investigate and reduce motor vehicle crime across a growing North Texas service area. The multi-agency task force brings together law enforcement partners from the Prosper Police Department, Collin, Cooke and Denton counties, and southern Grayson County, along with the Texas Department of Public Safety, federal partners, and the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).

Investigators focus on vehicle theft, vehicle burglary and related motor vehicle crimes, including organized auto crime activity and repeat offenders. Their work includes targeted enforcement, interdiction and suppression operations, crime analysis and investigations that often extend beyond jurisdictional lines.

The task force also conducts 68-A vehicle identification inspections and public education efforts to help vehicle owners reduce their risk of becoming a victim.

With plans to expand its partnerships in the coming year, the NCDCATTF continues to build its regional reach and strengthen the fight against motor vehicle crime across North Texas.

“What could possibly go wrong?”Answer: Everything. Everything could go wrong.If you’re in the market for a used vehicle,...
08/17/2026

“What could possibly go wrong?”

Answer: Everything. Everything could go wrong.

If you’re in the market for a used vehicle, a little homework before you hand over the money can save you a major headache later. Take time to research both the vehicle and the seller, and don’t be afraid to ask questions or dig deeper if something doesn’t seem right.

A few things to keep in mind:

•Check the VIN using multiple vehicle history/verification websites.
•Buying online? Research the seller and look closely at their profile.
•Complete the title transfer and registration at your local county tax office or TxDMV Regional Service Center before handing over money.
•Schedule a VIN verification with your local auto theft task force.
•Be cautious of fake or altered documents and identification.
•And maybe don’t hand over $52,000 in cash in a retail parking lot.

A few extra steps could be the difference between a great deal and a really bad.

08/13/2026

Locked? Yes.
Checked? Yes.
Checked again for absolutely no reason? Also yes.

You don’t have to take it quite this far, but making a habit of securing your vehicle every time you walk away can help reduce opportunities for theft.

One click is technically enough. But hey, we support the double-click.

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4000 Jackson Avenue
Austin, TX
78731

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Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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