Why Steal Cars? A Study of Young Offenders Involved in Auto Theft

Abstract

Interviews were conducted with 43 Winnipeg youth with records for auto theft. The youths’ backgrounds were similar to those of other serious delinquents—many came from single parent families, most were not doing well in school or in employment, and most associated with gangs or other delinquent peers. Most of the respondents were involved in joyriding rather than in selling stolen vehicles. One of the strongest motivating factors reported by the youth was the excitement or “adrenalin rush” associated with auto theft. This motivation is discussed in the context of Katz’s work on the attractions of crime and Lyng’s discussion of crime as edgework.