joyriding
Juvenile joyriders are responsible for a high number of the thefts in the region.
Police told me that the car was probably taken by joyriders.
Vehicles are not stolen for parts but by joyriders who abandon them later.

SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases

On the road: driving & operating road vehicles
aquaplaning
back someone up
biting point
boxed in
branch off
chauffeur
gun
handle
lock
pull
pull someone up
push start
range anxiety
reverse
road rage
run away with someone
skid
speeding
steer
ton

You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:

Miscellaneous criminals