LAPD: Auto theft/burglary crime and new Senior Lead Officer

Auto theft/burglary:

Thieves look for the easiest target. Grand Theft Auto (“GTA”) crime is up in our area. Criminal theft rings will approach a parked vehicle to see if it is unlocked. If they see nothing of value, they quickly move on to another car to see if that car is unlocked. If thieves see something of value in the car, they will break the window to steal it. Fifty percent — 50% — of the cars stolen have the key FOBs in the car! Disturbingly, some thieves have relay devices where they can link to a car’s FOB even if the keyless FOB is in the house. Below are links regarding this theft method.

LAPD wants to remind the community with regard to your autos, “Lock it, Hide it, Keep it”

LAPD advises public to regularly conduct an 8:00 PM check — check to see if your car is locked and nothing of value is visible, lock your house doors and windows.

LAPD apprehended a crime ring using Lyft for auto burglaries in the Bel-Air area.

With the release of “non-violent” prisoners due to COVID-19 — where released prisoners are merely given a ticket and no bail necessary — is having an impact on crime rate increase. FYI: Three criminals, who were released from jail due to COVID-19, did re-commit (re-offended) and were arrested again three hours after they were initially released. They were booked and released again. LAPD tries to keep an eye on repeat criminals. NOTE: Since auto theft and burglary are non-violent crimes, repeat criminals are released again with just a ticket.

For many of us residents, we voters need to reconsider Prop 47, Prop 57 — laws that were voted on and passed.

“How to protect your car key fob from hackers”

“Wrap car keys in foil to prevent hackers from stealing it”

VICE “Meet the Guy Selling Wireless Tech to Steal Luxury Cars in Seconds”

New Senior Lead Officer:

Our current Senior Lead Officer (“SLO”), Chris Ragsdale, will be retiring in January and from now until January, Officer Ragsdale will be transitioning our new area SLO, Officer Pete Ojeda (36393@lapdonline.org). A Senior Lead Officer is in charge of a basic car area within a geographic division. Senior Lead Officers provide a link that unites the LAPD with the communities that it serves. SLOs are responsible for monitoring crime trends in basic car areas, working with Community-Police Advisory Boards and act as liaisons with detectives to stay informed of crime trends and special problems within their area.