Bellevue's thefts fell 77%.
Thefts come in waves.
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Bellevue Police Department (data as of Sep 15, 2026)
FBI data for the Bellevue Police Department shows 706 vehicle thefts in 2023, 517 in 2024 and 161 in 2025. The fall came as Bellevue's overall property crime dropped 33% in 2025, a decrease the department called unprecedented.
The 2023 jump was driven mainly by Kia and Hyundai thefts. In early 2024 Bellevue police launched a motor vehicle theft task force, with crime prevention analysts monitoring auto theft cases, and gave away more than 400 free steering wheel locks. By that summer the department said the task force and lock giveaways had helped put the brakes on vehicle thefts across the city.
Bellevue's vehicle crime has come in waves, from catalytic converters in 2022 to Kia and Hyundai thefts after viral social media posts in 2023 and 2024. Police analysts caution that 2025 may have been an anomaly. Titan doesn't depend on knowing the next method: when it's armed, the car won't start or move, however the thief got in.
- 2023706
- 2024517
- 2025161
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Bellevue Police Department (data as of Sep 15, 2026)
What theft looks like in Bellevue.
Reported motor vehicle thefts in Bellevue rose 47% year over year in 2023, driven primarily by thefts of Kia and Hyundai vehicles.
Bellevue police gave away more than 400 free steering wheel locks and created a postcard telling Kia and Hyundai owners about manufacturer recalls. Chief Wendell Shirley said thieves were hopping from city to city and using stolen vehicles for other crimes around the region.
Source: Bellevue Police Department, Motor Vehicle Theft Task Force
By mid-2024, Bellevue police said the task force and steering wheel lock giveaways had helped put the brakes on motor vehicle thefts across the city.
Overall crime in Bellevue fell 27% in 2025 and property crime 33%. Theft from motor vehicles was still among the top drivers of crime.
Bellevue gives its name to the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metro area, which ranked 10th nationally for vehicle theft in 2025 with 12,684 vehicles stolen.
Is your car a likely target?
Four questions, checked against the most-stolen vehicle list for the U.S. and the theft methods we see most.
Most-stolen list: NICB, 2025 U.S. vehicle theft report
Answer the four questions to see which known theft risk factors apply to your vehicle. Nothing is stored or sent.
What one theft costs you.
Insurance rarely makes you whole. Put in your own numbers to see the out-of-pocket cost of a single theft.
Starting values are examples. Replace them with your own; check your policy for rental reimbursement and personal-property limits.
Your cost of one theft
Before any premium change at renewal, which varies by insurer and state.
Washington law applies in Bellevue.
Prevention for every kind of owner.
Dealerships
Bellevue's 2023 surge was built on two makes. The next wave may target others, so Titan arms all inventory after hours, whatever the make.
Titan for dealersDrivers & owners
Theft from cars is still one of Bellevue's top crime drivers. Titan alerts you to tamper and stops the car itself being driven away.
How drivers get TitanFleets & equipment
Bellevue's police chief has described thieves moving from city to city and using stolen vehicles for other crimes. Titan keeps company vehicles out of that cycle.
Titan for fleetsRental operators
Rental and car-share units in Bellevue sit unattended between bookings. Titan arms each one when the trip ends.
Titan for rentalNearby service areas.
Local help in Bellevue.
Report a stolen vehicle to local police right away; your insurer will ask for the report number.
- Bellevue Police Department, report a crime Online reports for theft and vehicle prowls with no known suspect. Call 911 in an emergency.
- Bellevue Police Motor Vehicle Theft Task Force The department's 2024 response to the Kia and Hyundai surge, from case monitoring to steering wheel lock giveaways.
- Washington Auto Theft Prevention Authority State authority funding auto theft task forces and prevention across Washington.
- NICB VINCheck Free check of whether a VIN has been reported stolen or salvaged before you buy.
- NHTSA recall lookup Check a VIN for open recalls, including the Hyundai and Kia anti-theft software update.
Vehicle theft in Bellevue: your questions.
Is car theft going down in Bellevue?
Yes. FBI data for the Bellevue Police Department shows 706 vehicle thefts in 2023, 517 in 2024 and 161 in 2025, a fall of about 77% in two years.
Why did car thefts jump in Bellevue in 2023?
Bellevue police reported a 47% rise in motor vehicle thefts in 2023, driven mainly by Kia and Hyundai models. Department analysts tie the 2023 and 2024 spike to viral social media posts.
How do I report a car break-in or theft in Bellevue?
Bellevue's online reporting covers theft and vehicle prowls when there's no emergency and no known suspect, and the incident happened inside city limits and not on a state freeway. Call 911 for an emergency or a crime in progress.
Is my Kia or Hyundai still at risk in Bellevue?
Thefts in Bellevue are far below 2023 levels, but install the anti-theft software update if you haven't (check your VIN on the NHTSA recall site). A steering wheel lock adds a visible deterrent. Titan adds a block on the car moving that doesn't depend on either.
Further reading.
Your Car Can Be Stolen in Under 60 Seconds — Here’s How to Stop It
Car thieves are faster and more sophisticated than ever—many can steal a vehicle in under 60 seconds using high-tech tools and relay attacks. Standard…
GPS Tracking Is Useless If Your Car’s Already Gone
Relying on GPS tracking alone to recover stolen vehicles? Think again. By the time thieves disable the system or move your car to a hidden location, it’s…
The Dealership Advantage: How Forward-Thinking Dealers Are Ending Vehicle Theft for Good
Car thieves are getting smarter, and unfortunately, many dealership anti-theft systems aren’t keeping up. Outdated security measures leave vehicles…
Your Car’s Already a Target. Still Trusting That Little GPS Box?
Car thieves aren’t worried about your GPS tracker—they know exactly how to disable it. If you’re relying on that tiny black box to keep your vehicle safe,…
Stop theft in Bellevue before it starts.
Titan keeps the vehicle from moving, key or no key, and alerts you when someone tries. Tell us what you protect and we'll take it from there.