"Experienced License Plate Changer"

Not to make light of the Bucky Phillips manhunt--but instead the Buffalo News. In the litany of reasons that Phillips is so hard to catch is that he's an "experienced car thief and license plate changer." Ok, car thief I can buy. That would be a useful talent for one on the run. But changing license plates is a special talent, reserved for those of a criminal bent? Last I knew you needed a screwdriver and some elbow grease.