My 1995 Dodge Caravan was stolen about a year ago. It was stolen in the late afternoon, in broad daylight, from the curb in front of our house. Both my wife and myself were in the house. It was found the next day at an apartment complex on the other side of town. It was found behind the apartment's locked gate, in the secured parking area. The thief has to have had a key to get through the gate, so he must have lived there. The police would not pursue the matter.
The thief simply wanted a ride home. I don't think he had any further interest in the car. My good camera and a toolbox were in the car. Neither was touched. Nobody who looks closely will want the car itself, though it runs well. Towcat has worked on that car, and mentioned something about getting a tetanus shot before going near it.
So, in my case it was simply a theft of convenience. They wanted a ride home. The officer who came to take the report had the comment, "Pretty ballsy of him, wasn't it?" He is apparently a fairly senior officer on the San Jose force.