Oak Brook

Oak Brook, Ill. – September 30, 2026 -- Vehicle thefts in the United States fell 21% during the first half of 2026 compared with the same period last year, with all 50 states posting year-over-year declines, according to a new analysis from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).

A total of 268,415 vehicles were reported stolen to law enforcement between January and June 2026, translating to a national theft rate of roughly 77.81 thefts per 100,000 people.

Every state saw thefts decline, but the drops varied widely

The District of Columbia posted the steepest improvement, with thefts down 52% versus the first half of 2025. Despite that drop, D.C. still recorded the highest theft rate of any jurisdiction analyzed, at 181.94 thefts per 100,000 residents.

Oak Brook – September 21, 2026 -- Ace Hardware has named Vantage Point (38B-4), a sophisticated blue hue, as Clark+Kensington's 2027 Color of the Year, now available at participating Ace Hardware stores nationwide and online at The Paint Studio.

The blue tone anchors a full 2027 color collection

Selected by color trend forecasting partner Colour Hive alongside the Clark+Kensington design team, Vantage Point is described as a rich blue softened by subtle undertones. It serves as the focal point of a broader 2027 Clark+Kensington Color Trends collection, joined by two coordinating palettes named Drift and Mellow.

Kim Lefko, Chief Marketing Officer at Ace Hardware, said the color aims to bring warmth and character to interiors while staying versatile enough to feel current in 2027 and lasting for years afterward.