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The Automobile Theft Prevention Authority Offers Free Vehicle VIN Etching

9 September 1999

The Automobile Theft Prevention Authority Offers Free Vehicle VIN Etching In Lehigh County; Vehicle Identification Numbers Etched Onto Vehicle Windows as A Means of Theft Prevention

    WHITEHALL TOWNSHIP, Pa., Sept. 9 -- The Automobile Theft
Prevention Authority (ATPA) along with the Lehigh County District Attorney's
Office will be holding a free VIN etching.  The event will be held on
Saturday, September 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Lehigh Valley Mall.
A pre-event press conference will be held at the District Attorney's Office,
Lehigh County Courthouse, on Friday, September 10 at 11:00 a.m.
    This is the first VIN etching in Lehigh County.  VIN etching is a proven
theft deterrent, where the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is etched on to
all the vehicle windows.  Would-be thieves resist stealing a vehicle that is
VIN-etched because that vehicle is more easily identified and, if stolen, all
glass must be replaced in order to remove traces of the VIN.
    This is a free service provided by the ATPA and the Lehigh County District
Attorney's Auto Theft Unit.  ATPA staff, local police officers and district
attorney's office employees will etch the VIN on the first 400 vehicles
(weather permitting - rain date is September 18, 1999).  The ATPA encourages
you to spend some time with them on Saturday afternoon to help protect your
vehicle.
    Pre-event questions should be directed to ATPA Executive Director Roy
Miller, at 717-975-9074.