Vehicle theft: A crime of opportunity

Local law enforcement lends tips on how to avoid becoming a victim

Sometimes it’s on them. Sometimes it’s on you. That’s the way it is with car thefts.

Some career criminals have the tools needed to break into and steal cars to. Other times, owners do stuff like leave the keys in the ignition.

Officials say vehicle thefts are a crime of opportunity, and one that’s common in the Yuba-sutter area.

“Vehicle theft and vehicle burglaries are one of our most common crimes,” Yuba City Police Lt. Jim Runyen said. Here are some tips:

The ways vehicles are stolen range anywhere from shaved keys to hot-wiring to drivers leaving the keys for them. “Don’t start your car in the morning and go inside,” Runyen said. “People go around looking for cars like that.” Jodie Beck, public information offi-

cer for the California Highway Patrol, said the department responds to a lot of vehicle thefts and especially stolen trailers.

“There’s a lot of them and they’re easy to steal,” Beck said Tuesday.

Beck said victims of vehicle theft who get their cars back sometimes make themselves sitting ducks for another theft because they won’t repair a busted steering wheel column, making it even easier to hot wire. And stolen vehicles tend to turn up dumped, sometimes burned, all over the area, she said.

Sgt. Nelson Magana with the Marysville Police Department said when arresting people for vehicle theft, the majority are found in possession of numerous shaved keys, which are especially effective in stealing theft-prone vehicles like older Honda Accords or Civics. He also said that unlocked cars give these suspects more time to fumble with shaved keys or other burglary tools to hot-wire.

“Always be cautious of locking your vehicles,” Magana said.

And of course, there’s those people who leave their car running when quickly going inside a gas station to grab a cup of coffee.

“Those happen quick,” he said.

In addition to keeping your car locked and windows rolled up – especially in the warmer weather – Magana suggested buying an alarm or anti-theft devices like wheel locks if you think your car is vulnerable.

Beck said to keep your car in a garage, if possible, and park it in a well-lit area with any valuables out of sight. She also said it’s important to keep all keys accounted for, and maintain vehicle insurance because tow fees can be expensive.

Beck also said when officers take reports for vehicle theft, they ask the owner if the car has any sort of identifier on it, like a sticker, dent, or the paint color.

“Put something on your vehicle to know that it’s yours,” Beck said. “And pick your friends wisely.”

Magana said since the department has started its community partnership initiative, officers have noticed certain trends, like dump spots for stolen vehicles.

“Some of our officers are pretty in-tune with their beats,” Magana said.

In becoming familiar with specific neighborhoods and its residents, officers have been able to find pieces of evidence to help in prosecuting a case. For example, with some stolen vehicles that have been dumped, officers have found items suspects have left behind to link them to the car, even if it was unoccupied.

FELONY ARRESTS

Ranae D. Caracciola, 47, of Yuba City was arrested by the Yuba City Police Department at 6:30 p.m. April 20 in the 600 block of Shasta Street on suspicion of corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant. She was booked into Sutter County Jail.

Tarhonda R. Queen, 33, homeless was arrested by the Sutter County Sheriff’s Office at 1 p.m. April 20 in the 3300 block of Colusa Avenue on suspicion of burglary and criminal conspiracy. She was booked into Sutter County Jail.

Danzel A. Ransom, 25, homeless was arrested by the Sutter County Sheriff’s Office at 10:13 a.m. April 20 in the 3300 block of Colusa Avenue on suspicion of criminal conspiracy. He was booked into Sutter County Jail.

DUI ARRESTS

Brenda L. Joseph, 56, of the 700 block of H Street, Marysville, was arrested by the Marysville Police Department at 9:18 p.m. April 20 in the 800 block of E Street. She was booked into Yuba County Jail.

Paulo A. Perez, 33, of the 400 block of South Walton Avenue, Yuba City, was arrested by the California Highway Patrol at 4:23 p.m. April 20 on Highway 20. He was booked into Sutter County Jail.

Luis J. Tiznado, 23, of Chico was arrested by the California Highway Patrol at 2:36 p.m. April 20 on Highway 70. He was booked into Yuba County Jail.

Bertha A. Medina, 25, of the 700 block of Almond Avenue, Yuba City, was arrested by the Yuba City Police Department at 6:20 a.m. April 20 in the 800 block of Colusa Avenue. She was booked into Sutter County Jail.

Seth Nichols, 25, of the 1400 block of Upland Drive, Yuba City, was arrested by the Marysville Police Department at 1:49 a.m. April 20 at the intersection of East 18th Street and B Street. He was booked into Yuba County Jail.

Hector D. Garibay, 40, of the 800 block of Lincoln Road, Yuba City, was arrested by the Yuba City Police Department at 11:32 p.m. April 19 in the 800 block of Lincoln Road. He was booked into Sutter County Jail. Thanks, Mom. What do you most admire about your mom? How did she inspire you? What did she teach you that you’ll never forget?

The Appeal-democrat is inviting readers to write short tributes about their mothers. We’ll pick a selection of those tributes for prizes – $50 for first place and $25 for second place in two divisions (18 and under and adults). We’ll feature the four selections with photos for the front page on Mothers Day, May 13, and we’ll print the other tributes inside.

How to participate? It’s easy:

Sit down and write a tribute to your mom. Keep it at or under 50 words (sorry, but if the word count goes over 50, we’ll have to cut it off for print).

Label your tribute with your mom’s name. Sign it with your name and the community you live in.

Email your tribute by 8 a.m. Monday, May 7, to adnewsroom@appealdemocrat.com. (Please type “Mom Tribute” in the subject line.) If you don’t have access to a computer, you can drop your entry off at 1530 Ellis Lake Drive, Marysville, CA 95901.

You must include your phone number and mailing address with your email (not for publication; for verification only).

We’ll make the cash awards available for the winners to pick up at the Appeal-democrat offices on Friday, May 11, and if not picked up, we’ll mail the prizes to the address you provided.

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