So far in 2026, there have been 1,438 cases of vehicle theft in Bogotá, representing a 10.3 percent reduction compared to the 1,604 recorded in the same period of 2025. The same applies to motorcycle theft, which, as of June 30, records 2,057 incidents compared to 2,184 last year, a decrease of 5.8 percent.
Although the figures from the Bogotá Metropolitan Police and the Security Secretariat are positive, the Bogotá Council warned about the violence being used by the criminal organizations involved in this crime, which is trending downward.
One of the cases that raised alarms again was the recent theft and subsequent murder of a platform driver in the north of Bogotá.
For this reason, councilors called on the authorities to increase the fight against criminal gangs and intervene in the hot spots of the city.
Councilwoman Andrea ‘Tata’ Hernández revealed that, in just over six months, criminals stole 1,424 cars and 2,068 motorcycles, which represents, on average, seven cars and 11 motorcycles stolen each day.
“Behind every number are hardworking families who lose their property and peace of mind at the hands of crime,” said Councilwoman Hernández.
A critical aspect denounced by the councilwoman was the violence used by criminals when overpowering their victims to take the vehicle.
Hernández pointed out that the violence linked to this crime is out of control, as happened with the driver murdered in the upper part of Usaquén, who was threatened with a firearm by two young Venezuelans to steal his vehicle and ultimately take his life.
“What started as a robbery ended up becoming a homicide. We cannot allow Bogotá residents to keep being killed for going out in their vehicles. This reflects the urgency to act before crime claims more lives,” she stated.
The councilwoman made a direct call to the Security Secretariat and the Metropolitan Police to immediately implement shock and intelligence operations in the most critical high-occurrence points.
The request includes the dismantling of illegal markets for auto parts trading, which feed the economic chain of these criminal gangs in the different localities of the city.
Most affected localities and brands
According to official figures, the localities where most cars are stolen in Bogotá are Kennedy, with 248 cases, followed by Engativá (174), Suba (123), Puente Aranda (108), and Ciudad Bolívar (107).
On the other hand, fewer thefts are recorded in La Candelaria (3), Santa Fe (20), Chapinero (27), Antonio Nariño (29), and Usme (40).
Regarding motorcycle theft, the crime follows a similar pattern, with Kennedy leading (345), followed by Ciudad Bolívar (194), Bosa (185), Engativá (172), Rafael Uribe Uribe (151), and Suba (135).
EL TIEMPO learned that high-end SUVs such as the Mazda CX5, Mazda CX30, Toyota Fortuner, Toyota TXL, Ford Explorer, and Kia Sportage LX are constantly targeted by criminals due to their significant commercial value and high demand.
On the other hand, among the private cars most reported stolen are the Kia Picanto, the Chevrolet Spark, and Renault models, which is likely because criminals have identified that they have widespread circulation and the work to dismantle them is much faster.
NICOLÁS DÍAZ MALPICA
Bogotá Editorial
