ATPA and HEAT Announce Michigan's Top Cities and Counties for Auto Theft

        Michigan Auto Theft Down 4%, Ranking Sixth Highest in Nation

    LIVONIA, Mich., Feb. 6 The Auto Theft Prevention
Authority (ATPA) of Michigan and Help Eliminate Auto Thefts (HEAT(R))
announced results of the 2000 ATPA Annual Report today, reporting that
Michigan's auto theft is down 4% from 1998-1999.  The report lists the
state's top cities and counties for auto theft and ranks Michigan's top 10
vehicles stolen, including thieves' preference of color and day of week.

    Detroit ranked as the top city in the state for auto theft rates, with
26,607 auto theft crimes committed in 1999, followed by Flint, Dearborn,
Grand Rapids and Southfield respectively.  However, auto theft has dropped
20% in the last three years in Detroit.  Wayne County was the top county in
the state, followed by Oakland, Genesee, Macomb and Kent rounding out the
top five counties.

    The top ten vehicles stolen in the state: 2000 Jeep Cherokee; 1999 Jeep
Cherokee; 1999 Pontiac Grand Am; 1999 Ford Taurus; 1999 Dodge Intrepid; 2000
Pontiac Grand Am; 1998 Ford Taurus; 2000 Dodge Intrepid; 1997 Ford Taurus
and the 1999 Oldsmobile Alero.

    The favorite car color for thieves statewide is white, with October as
the most popular month to steal a car.  Monday is the most likely day to
have your car stolen, with Saturday and Sunday being the least popular.

    "Since the inception of the ATPA and programs like HEAT(R), auto theft
has dropped 25% in Michigan," said ATPA Executive Director Val Vitols.
"Auto theft dropped this year, statewide, and while at one time, Michigan
led the nation for auto theft rate, we have now dropped to number 6."

    Terri Miller, executive director of HEAT(R), is impressed with
Michigan's fight against auto theft.  "Citizens must continue the fight by
calling 800-242-HEAT and reporting what they know about auto theft in their
neighborhoods.  Together, we can continue to decrease auto theft."

    The Michigan Automobile Theft Prevention Authority is funded by a
statutory assessment on auto insurance policies.  It seeks to improve and
support vehicle theft law enforcement, prosecution, prevention and education
programs by establishing statewide planning capabilities and coordination of
dedicated funding sources.

    HEAT(R) operates a toll free confidential tip line, 800-242-HEAT, for
citizens to report auto theft related information.  Since its inception in
1985, HEAT(R) has awarded more than $2.2 million to tip callers.  During
that period, the HEAT(R) tip line has received 6,474 calls leading to the
arrest of 2,394 suspects and has recovered 2,941 vehicles valued at more
than $34 million.