Motor Vehicle Theft Act

Congress passed the Motor Vehicle Theft Act of 1919, 18 U.S.C.A. Section 2311–2313, on October 28, 1919. This act, commonly referred to as the Dyer Act, named after Congressman Leonidas C. Dyer (R-MO), made interstate transport of stolen motor vehicles a federal crime and authorized the Federal Bureau of Investigation to investigate vehicle thefts that crossed over state jurisdictional lines. Prior to 1919 most states had established comprehensive laws governing theft in its many forms. However, few states were prepared for the unique theft problems that resulted from the increased production, distribution, and accessibility of the automobile in the United States, which increased dramatically during the early part of the 20th century.

The automobile is particularly well-suited for theft. Vehicles are easily salable items that also [Page 758]provide increased opportunities to commit other crimes and then allow offenders to quickly escape or flee the scene. Criminals have developed a distinct relationship with motor vehicles and are often known to both target motor vehicles for theft and to use them for crimes. Before passage of the Motor Vehicle Theft Act of 1919, local law enforcement's ability to apprehend motor vehicle thieves was impeded by state jurisdictional boundaries, especially in cities and communities near state borders (Dowling v. United States, 1985).

The Motor Vehicle Theft Act of 1919 provides for harsh sentences, including fines and imprisonment of up to 10 years, for those who are convicted of transporting stolen vehicles across state lines. As with all legislation that initially dealt with new problems, defining a number of the provisions of the law meant actually defining a motor vehicle and what constituted a stolen vehicle.

According to provisions of the Dyer Act, a motor vehicle includes automobiles, automobile trucks, automobile wagons, motorcycles, or any other self-propelled vehicle designed for running on land but not on rails. Transportation of a stolen vehicle in interstate or foreign commerce requires that the individual charged with the crime had received, possessed, concealed, stored, bartered, sold, or disposed of any motor vehicle or aircraft, which has crossed a state or U.S. boundary after being stolen, and that the individual knew that the vehicle was in fact stolen. For the purposes of the law, state was specifically defined to include any state of the United States, the District of Columbia, and any commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States.