A 52% Jump In UES Car Thefts Has Police Searching For Answers

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — The Upper East Side has seen a 52.2 percent increase in stolen cars this year compared to 2025, according to the latest New York City Police Department data.

The 19th Precinct has reported that the total number of stolen cars on the Upper East Side has risen to 70 to date in 2026, up from 46 to date in 2025.

In the past 28 days, police have recorded 10 of these incidents, and two in the past week alone.

These types of crimes — categorized as grand larceny autos — have mainly occurred with street-side parking in the northern part of the neighborhood, rather than in parking garages, Brian Larkin, a community affairs officer in the 19th precinct, told Community Board 8 at a recent meeting.

"We are looking into if it is a pattern, but right now it's not a pattern," Larkin said about the uptick in stolen cars.

"Make sure that you're locking your vehicles, and if you hear anything on the street or see something suspicious, call 911," Larkin said.

For questions, email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.