Additional Victims Sought in Carwash Vandalism and Theft Series NR25186jc

September 18, 2025

Additional Victims Sought in
Carwash Vandalism and Theft Series

Los Angeles: In August, Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) Rampart Burglary – Theft Detectives were advised that a series of vandalism and theft incidents was occurring at multiple self-serve carwashes in multiple LAPD geographic Divisions that involved the same primary Suspect. The secondary suspect, his pregnant significant other, was also actively involved in at least one vandalism incident.

Many self-serve carwashes feature payment kiosks in the individual wash bays, where customers can enter their payment method – credit card, cash, or dollar coins. The kiosks have a metal faceplate, also known as a meter door, that cover the kiosk. Inside the meter door, credit card readers are housed, cash is collected in magazines, and coins drop so that a vacuum system can remove them to a safe.

The preferred method of the suspects in this case was using pry tools and/or drill tools to force open the metal faceplate. Once open, the suspect(s) would cover the vacuum tube hole with pieces of plastic, cardboard, condoms/balloons, etc. and would also sometimes break off the lock that secures the meter door and replace it with another lock. The suspect(s) would close or tape up the meter door and then return at a later time to collect the dollar coins that had accumulated, as they could not be sucked into the vacuum system. The suspect(s) would also use wooden and metal implements such as wooden sticks covered with glue to remove the U.S. Currency bills from the collection magazines inside the faceplates, leaving a gluey residue inside. The suspect(s) would often do this in multiple bays at each carwash. The wires inside the meter doors would also be damaged. One of the suspects was also known to cover security cameras by assembling a long pole with tape/paint on the end, reaching up to the cameras to cover them and conceal his activities and may also have been using remote controls to access the washes and collect money directly from unwitting customers by posing as an employee of the carwashes.

The meter doors are expensive to repair and replace, and the suspect(s) caused thousands of dollars in damages and were taking hundreds of dollars in U.S. currency from each affected carwash.

Two suspect vehicles were used by the suspects. The primary vehicle was a dark gray 2010 Toyota Corolla sedan. The vehicle often had a bicycle rack attached to the back and magnets on the rear of the vehicle. The secondary vehicle was a white 2016 Toyota Corolla sedan.

Both vehicles were located and impounded on September 12 and September 13, 2025. Search warrants of the vehicles yielded various tools (many with sticky residue), broken and new locks consistent with those used at the carwashes, and dollar coins.

Rampart Detectives are seeking additional victims who may have been impacted in the City of Los Angeles or beyond. Potential victims of similar crimes are asked to report their incident to their local Police or Sheriff Departments.

Both suspects were arrested on September 13, 2025 and booked for felony vandalism by LAPD Rampart Division. The case is being presented for filing consideration with the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office.

Suspect: Ochoa, Hulisses                              Suspect: Encalada, Jocelyn

Suspect 1 is identified as Ochoa, Hulisses and is described as a 34-year-old Hispanic male with brown hair and brown eyes. He stands at 5 feet 6 inches and weighs 220 lbs. He was arrested for the charge of 594 (A) (1) PC- Vandalism under booking No. 7090936.

Suspect 2 is identified as Encalada, Joselyn and is described as a 34-year-old Hispanic female with brown hair and brown eyes. She stands at 5 feet tall and weighs 160 lbs. She was arrested for the charge of 594 (A)(1) PC – Vandalism under booking No. 7090945.

Property recovered from Ochoa’s vehicle
including U.S. Currency, tools, broken locks, new locks & keys

Anyone with information about this crime or these types of incidents is asked to call the LAPD Rampart Burglary Theft Detectives at (213) 484-3490. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may also download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the LA Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.