Three Car Thefts Hit Canyon Last Week

By Laurel Busby

News & Information Editor

Three cars were stolen in the Canyon last week on different days and at different times of day, according to L.A.P.D. Senior Lead Officer Brian Espin.

Since all three thefts occurred in such close proximity to each other within one week (Oct. 19-25), the L.A.P.D. is investigating them with extra care, Espin said.

“Once we see the cluster, our detectives immediately start to look for any similarities or see if they can be connected in any way,” Espin said in an email. “As of now the detectives have not seen anything to connect the vehicle thefts. They appear to be isolated incidents.”

Espin’s email also included an L.A.P.D. alert that Jeep Wranglers on the Westside had been targeted by thieves recently. During the thefts, the manufacturer’s GPS systems have been disabled, which prevented both tracking and recovery. L.A.P.D. recommends that Wrangler owners install a steering-wheel lock, a kill switch or ignition immobilizer, an audible alarm system, and an owner-installed GPS tracking device.

Espin also recommends that other vehicle owners install a separate GPS in their vehicles since thieves are increasingly disabling the manufacturer-installed GPS systems. In addition, GPS trackers can aid in the recovery of other stolen items, such as high-end handbags.