Los Angeles: Today, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Rampart Division held a press conference where Captain Ruiz discussed the increase of auto-related crimes, such as burglaries and thefts from motor vehicles and how to prevent being a victim. To date, Rampart has experienced a 27 percent increase in these crimes. Suspects are targeting vehicles with clearly visible GPS (Global Positioning System) devices, purses, laptop computers, bags, cell phones, IPods, cameras and other electronic devices. Photos of property left inside cars were displayed along with images of suspects committing some of these crimes and wanted by police.
At the same time, the increase of personal thefts and larceny crimes was also discussed. Rampart Area has seen a 14 percent increase year-to-date in personal thefts. Primarily, the increase is a result of personal property being left unattended for very short periods of times or because of distracted shoppers. Suspects are approaching shoppers who place their purses or other personal property in shopping carts and briefly turn away. In other instances, personal property is simply just being left unattended for short periods of times at parks, bus benches, office buildings, restaurants, etc. Citizens will be reminded to always secure your personal property and not leave it unattended.
Anyone with information about any of these crimes or who can help identify any suspects associated with these crimes is asked to call Rampart Burglary 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 should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (1-800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.