- Thursday April 30th, 2015 :: 09:42 a.m. PDT
3rd Row Seat Theft a Growing Trend- Do Not Become a Victim #LASD
Although breaking into vehicles and stealing the third row has been a common type crime in the past, it is quickly becoming a growing problem in our area. Additionally, Ventura County Sheriff and the Moorpark Police Department are also warning residents that these same types of thefts are occurring in their area as well. Thieves are entering locked and unlocked SUV's and stealing the third row of seats to sell on various websites for large amounts of money.
Popular targets are shown to be Chevrolet, Cadillac, and GMC SUV's because the seats are interchangeable with other GM SUV's. The third row seats are sold as an optional feature, and are designed to quickly and easily removed, inadvertently making them as easy target for thieves. Once stolen, they are sold for quick cash, and are valued between $400-$800.
Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff's Station and other law enforcement agencies throughout the county recommend engraving or marking your third row seat with the license plate of your vehicle so that they are easier for law enforcement to trace if stolen. Also, it is suggested that you lock your own third row with a bicycle lock, like shown. To make it even more difficult to make entry into your SUV, vehicles parked in the driveway should be positioned with the rear tailgate door as close as possible to your garage door.
Keep in mind most car alarms do not cover the back window hatch of the vehicle and this is where most of the thefts are occurring. The thieves are capable of making entry into the back window, undetected, and stealing the third row seat in less than 40 seconds.
Using these Crime Prevention techniques may not prevent the theft, but it will slow the thief down and possibly provide that additional time needed for someone to notice and call the police. It will also help the police identify stolen property during the recovery process. Remember if you see something suspicious, call the police.
Prepared by:
Heather Fuquay, LET
Sheriff's Information Bureau - Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
323-267-4800
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Jim McDonnell, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
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Address/Location
LASD - Malibu/Lost Hills Station, Los Angeles County Sheriff
27050 Agoura Rd
Calabasas, CA 91301
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 818-878-1808