DaytonDailyNews.com

DAYTON — Auto thefts are declining in Ohio and across the nation, unless you own a 1995 Honda Civic, according to preliminary statistics released by the FBI.

The Civic was the most popular car among thieves for the second straight year, according to a study by the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

Thieves target certain cars because their parts are in high demand, according to the NCIB.

The study found that auto thefts in Ohio have decreased nearly 20 percent since 2005. In 2007, 34,207 vehicles were reported stolen, down from 41,379 in 2005.

Dayton ranks fifth in reported auto thefts (1,583 in 2007) among Ohio cities with a population of more than 100,000. Cleveland topped the list with 6,777 reported thefts, followed by Columbus (6,228), Cincinnati (1,997) and Toledo (1,876), according to the FBI's numbers.

Here are the most common cars reported stolen in Ohio in 2007:

1. 1994 Dodge Caravan

2. 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass

3. 1994 Buick Century

4. 1996 Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee

5. 1997 Ford Taurus

6. 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier

7. 1989 Dodge Intrepid

8. 1989 Chevrolet Full Size C/K 1500 Pickup

9. 1998 Honda Civic

10. 1995 Plymouth Voyager

2006

1. 1993 Oldsmobile Cutlass

2. 1994 Dodge Caravan

3. 1993 Buick Century

4. 1996 Ford Taurus

5. 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier

6. 1996 Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee

7. 1994 Plymouth Voyager

8. 1990 Buick LeSabre

9. 1990 Chevrolet Full Size C/K 1500 Pickup

10. 1992 Chevrolet Van

Nationwide for 2007

1. 1995 Honda Civic

2. 1991 Honda Accord

3. 1989 Toyota Camry

4. 1997 Ford F-150 Series

5. 1994 Chevrolet C/K 1500

6. 1994 Acura Integra

7. 2004 Dodge Ram Pickup

8. 1994 Nissan Sentra

9. 1988 Toyota Pickup

10. 2007 Toyota Corolla

2006

1. 1995 Honda Civic

2. 1991 Honda Accord

3. 1989 Toyota Camry

4. 1997 Ford F-150 Series Pickup

5. 2005 Dodge Ram Pickup

6. 1994 Chevrolet C/K 1500 Pickup

7. 1994 Nissan Sentra

8. 1994 Dodge Caravan

9. 1994 Saturn SL

10. 1990 Acura Integra

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2494 or lsullivan@DaytonDaily

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