Bernard Goldberg's Commentary

Bernard Goldberg's Commentary

Bernie's Time Machine

Bernie’s Time Machine: The Auto Theft Epidemic

A look at an early 1980s crime wave.

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Bernard Goldberg
Oct 01, 2026
∙ Paid

“While you’re sleepin’ I’m creepin’.”

Auto theft was a huge problem in this country in the early 1980s, fueled by auto parts being in short supply. Police were in over their heads on the issue.

I covered the story for the CBS Evening News in late 1981, including one state that was starting to get very serious about the problem.

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