Hey, Listen to Sarge. For once I couldnt agree more! Dont cover the VIN. You are likely to be put in the back seat of the scout car while they call in someone from the Auto Theft Squad. I cant emphasize enough what kind of red flag it is to an officer when its obvious that the owner/driver of a vehicle is trying to conceal the VIN plate. Some car thiefs are pulling a new scam. When they steal a car, they also steal a license plate from the same year and make of the model they just stole. So they steal the 91 honda civic 4dr sedan from a parking lot, they will steal a plate from a 91 honda civic 4dr sedan in an apartment complex nearby. The stolen car owner notices his car gone, calls the police, makes the report, and the vehicle is entered into the computer system by BOTH the assigned plate and VIN. In Michigan, only the rear plate is issued, so the chances of the guy with the stolen plate wont notice immediately, I have had people not notice their plate stolen for days. Now he puts the plate that noone knows is stolen on the stolen car. Bottom line, car thief is driving a stolen car that is in the computer as stolen by the VIN (cause the plate is removed), but have the plate from the other car that hasnt been reported stolen yet, so an officer runs the plate and it returns clear, not wanted, but if he ran the VIN, it comes back stolen and wanted. The fact that the plate returns to the same vehicle, it doesnt raise any suspicion. So officers are aware of this now, suspicious stops result in both plate and VIN checks, and everything has to match. If you have your VIN covered or taped over, he will become immediately suspicious and take steps to investigate further. Like I said, this can range from getting you out of the car, most likely put in the scout car, and looking for secondary or hidden VINs until he is satisfied that the car is legit. Or calling for an Auto Theft officer, and if one isnt on duty, they will impound your car with a hold on it till its cleared. Or like Sarge said, its an arrestable offense in some jurisdictions. Either way, none of those are pleasant for honest folks like you, its designed for bottom feeding car thiefs! I spoke with an Auto Theft guy and with the PATS system in our cars, its easier to just tow our car and steal it that way. It is far to difficult to program a key by a thief. He advised to just be carefull when valet parking, or any other time you hand someone your keys. It would be easy to clone your remote and key having yours in their hand. Then a week later, they stop by your house or business and use the key/remote they cloned when they had your key and vehicle. Just trying to share some insight and first hand experience with you all.
Dave
