So far this year, nearly 800 vehicles have been reported missing or stolen in Richmond County.

"I'm going to be driving that red explorer," said Allean Moseby from Hephzibah.

Moseby's sharing that car with her husband after her 1995 Monte Carlo was stolen Wednesday from the parking lot of the Augusta Mall.

"I didn't realize people would just walk up in the daylight and steal your car. But the doors were locked, my husband left the window cracked, because it was so hot," said Moseby.

Moseby's not alone. There's 8 to 10 reports of stolen or missing cars a week in Richmond County, adding up to about 800 this year.

The sheriff's office has three investigators permanently assigned to motor vehicle theft. But you can help put the brakes on this problem.

"Lock your car, take keys, and don't leave nothing in it. Absolutely nothing to make anyone curious to go in it," said Sgt. Ken Eskew, with Richmond County Sheriff's Office.

Most people think because of television and movies, that cars are stolen for their parts. But actually in Richmond County, investigators say very few are striped.

The owner of Craven's Auto & Truck Parts in Augusta says he has to go through strict laws for his cars and parts.

"I'm not buying stuff I don't have a serial number and a title on it. I'm not buying it, and that's the way it works. When we pick up cars from the Marshal's department, we have to hold them for 30 days before we can sell a lug-nut off it," said Tony Miller, owner of Craven's Auto & Truck Parts.

Investigators say most cars stolen are taken for joyrides or to go from one location to the other.

Moseby hopes that's the case with her car.

"I hope they find my car and I hope they didn't do anything to it. Maybe just teenager joyriding. I hope," said Moseby. "That car is paid for. Don't want another car payment."

Moseby has a good chance. The stolen car recovery rate is about 85-percent.

As for which cars thieves target, Richmond County doesn't follow the national list of most stolen cars, like the Honda Accord.

In the Augusta area General Motors cars and trucks from the 1980s and 1990s top the list like the Oldsmobile Cutlass, Chevrolet Caprice and Chevrolet Silverado truck