PALMDALE – Since the first of the year, the Antelope Valley has seen a spike in vehicle thefts, according to Palmdale Sheriff’s Station officials.
These thefts are occurring in both neighborhoods and in business districts. Although vehicle thefts are primarily occurring in the mid-city of both Lancaster and Palmdale, thefts have also been happening in the east and west portions of the cities as well.
Both stations have arrested numerous individuals for vehicle theft and have ended, through arrests, several “chop shops” in the area.
Chop shops are locations where stolen cars are taken by thieves and dismantled for their seats, engines and scrap metal. The various pieces are then sold off.
By far, the most stolen vehicles in the Valley are Hondas, comprising more than a third of all stolen vehicles, according to Palmdale Sheriff’s Station officials.
The Sheriff’s Department would like to remind people what they can do to maintain their safety and the safety of their property:
- Do not allow your vehicle to warm up in your driveway. This makes for an easy theft of the vehicle.
- Ensure that your vehicle is always locked and the windows rolled up when leaving the vehicle for any length of time.
- When parking in a business area, find a spot that is well-lit and be aware of anyone loitering in and around the lot.
Both Sheriff’s stations believe these simple rules and being aware of your surroundings can help reduce not just auto theft, but all crimes. The public is encouraged to provide information regarding these or any crimes directly to the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station by calling 661-272-2400, or they can report it anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS.
(Information via press release from the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station.)
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M says
I believe it’s because we have a catch and release program in California. The prisons are so “over crowded” that at the most, many of these thieves are out in DAYS, not even months.
There is no respect for the law or fear of their fellow citizens.
We need to bring Castle Laws to California, and allow law abiding citizens who pass a psych test to legally carry concealed weapons. The Law Enforcement Agencies do not have enough resources to protect us anymore.
M says
I’d love to hear a response from the person who down voted my comment. If you have a logical response, please feel free to discuss it.
Matt K. says
There is a Castle Doctrine in California law:
California Penal Code § 198.5 sets forth that “Any person using force intended or likely to cause death or great bodily injury within his or her residence shall be presumed to have held a reasonable fear of imminent peril of death or great bodily injury to self, family, or a member of the household when that force is used against another person, not a member of the family or household, who unlawfully and forcibly enters or has unlawfully and forcibly entered the residence and the person using the force knew or had reason to believe that an unlawful and forcible entry occurred.”[18] This would make the homicide justifiable under CPC § 197.[19] CALCRIM 506 gives the instruction, “A defendant is not required to retreat. He or she is entitled to stand his ground and defend himself and, if reasonably necessary, to pursue an assailant until the danger … has passed. This is so even if safety could have been achieved by retreating.” However, it also states that “[People v. Ceballos] specifically held that burglaries which ‘do not reasonably create a fear of great bodily harm’ are not sufficient ’cause for exaction of human life.’” The court held that because the defendant had constructed a gun-firing trap, the doctrine did not apply because mechanical devices are without mercy or discretion.