ISU student motorists from states as far as Washington and South Carolina have fallen victim to license plate theft over the past month.

License plates from at least 18 different states have been stolen, with a total of 24 plates reported missing since March 13. Although the majority of the reported thefts were first reported near Frederiksen Court, the incidents have spread to parking lots across campus.

ISU Police Capt. Gene Deisinger said no suspects have been found in the license plate thefts, with no recent developments in the situation.

“While there have been frequent incidents, there are still no suspects in the case,” Deisinger said.

He said the department is still unsure whether one person has stolen all 24 license plates or if multiple parties are to blame.

Deisinger said if a single person is found guilty of stealing multiple license plates, penalties and fines increase with the replacement values of each of the plates stolen.

There is no specific law outlining license plate theft and the crime is classified under general theft, Deisinger said.

Nick Heine, freshman in mechanical engineering, reported his motorcycle cover and license plate stolen Sunday from Lot 63, a parking lot near Larch Hall.

“It’s not the value, it’s the trouble I have to go through to get the plates back,” Heine said.

Tina Hargis, director of vehicle services for the Iowa Department of Transportation, said Iowa license plates reported stolen by the police can be replaced for $5. The major inconvenience associated with replacement, she said, is motorists usually have to return to the county where the vehicle is registered.

William Nicholas, senior in civil engineering, reported his license plates stolen March 22.

“I don’t think they are ever going to catch whoever is stealing them,” he said.

Nicholas, whose home state is Alabama, said it cost him $10 to replace the plates.

He said ISU police issued him documentation that reported the theft and allowed him to legally drive his car without the missing plate.

“I’ve never seen this before — I’d say they are trying to make a collection,” he said.

Deisinger said security and awareness of the thefts has been spread to all officers and parking lot attendants in the Department of Public Safety, although incidents continue to surface.

He said anyone who has information regarding license plate theft on campus should contact ISU Police.