Police are warning the public of what they describe as a “troubling rise” in vehicle thefts targeting newer model Jeep Wranglers in the Westside of Los Angeles.
According to the LAPD Wilshire Station, investigators are finding that the suspects typically break windows to gain entry before starting and driving away in the Jeep — all within a matter of minutes.
To make recovery even more difficult, detectives say the thieves often disable the factory-installed GPS systems.
The LAPD shared the following tips and precautionary measures in an effort to help the community protect their vehicles:
- Install a secondary GPS tracker hidden from plain view
- Use a steering wheel lock or brake pedal lock to deter quick getaways
- Park in well-lit, secure areas — preferably with surveillance cameras
- Consider aftermarket immobilizers or kill switches
- Don’t rely solely on factory security systems, as they are being bypassed
- Report suspicious activity immediately to LAPD or local authorities
“At this time, there is no suspect or suspect-vehicle description available,” stated the LAPD. “These thefts have recently been reported in the West Los Angeles, Pacific, and Wilshire areas.”
Authorities urge anyone with information about these thefts to contact Detective Given, West Los Angeles Detectives, at 310-444-1505 or [email protected].
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