DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) – A recent report put out by the National Insurance Crime Bureau has Dayton in second place for having the most auto thefts per capita. Cleveland ranked first.

“It’s not surprising with all the crime going on around the city,” said Dayton resident Tara Owensby.

In 2015, 1,748 vehicles were reported in the Dayton metro area, an increase from the year before.

Officials put the blame on the drug epidemic, as addicts steal and strip cars for cash.

According to a local insurance agent, Kyle Bergsman with the Wagner Insurance Agency, there are steps you can take to prevent your vehicle from being stolen.

“Don’t use an enclosurement for stage. Put your car in it. Even if it’s still in an enclosurement, still lock it,” Bergsman said. “The best advice I can give is to protect it the best you can. Make sure it’s locked wherever it is. Whether you park in a parking lot or in an enclosurement. Just don’t keep valuables in it. Don’t keep cash in it. Basically make your car look empty.”

The type of vehicle most often stolen in the state of Ohio is the 2003 Dodge Caravan, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau.