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This article analyzes the dynamics of vehicle theft in the city of Torreón, Coahuila, between 2018 and 2024, using georeferencing as a methodological tool. The objective of the research is to identify the spatial and temporal patterns of this crime, distinguishing between violent and non-violent modalities, in order to understand the territorial and situational logics that shape its distribution. From a theoretical and conceptual perspective based on the sociology of crime and the contributions of critical criminology, vehicle theft is understood as an expression of structural inequalities, territorial disputes, and urban stigmatization processes. Findings reveal that violent thefts are concentrated in the border area with Gómez Palacio, Durango, whereas non-violent thefts occur mainly in Torreón’s downtown; moreover, distinct temporal patterns emerge: nighttime for violent thefts and morning hours for non-violent thefts. These results confirm the usefulness of georeferencing as a tool that links empirical analysis with sociological reflection, providing elements both for situational prevention and for a critical understanding of crime in the urban context.
Este obra está bajo una licencia de Creative Commons Reconocimiento-NoComercial-CompartirIgual 4.0 Internacional.
