Most of the cities that are seeing high theft rates are near the nation's border with Mexico, a fact that can make it tricky for authorities to recover the vehicles.

"When the car is stolen, it takes a period of time for a person to realize the car is gone," said Scafidi. In the meantime, cars are driven right across the border.

"Once it is Mexico or Canada, then you are dealing with another country and you can't go in there and route around," Scafidi said.

Finger im po, Mexiko!