Full Notification

Since Nov 1, one or more persons have stolen 10 car batteries from parked cars in Arleta.  Most of the thefts have occurred overnight when owners are asleep.

"We suspect the thief is selling the car batteries for the core charge," explained Lt. Paul Vernon.  "We'll be checking recycle centers and speaking to local car part stores."

Detectives have seen clusters of multiple cars broken into in the 13000 block of Garber Street; 9000 block of Greenbush Ave; 13800 block of Correnti St.; and the 13400 blocks of Reedley Street and Rangoon Street.

Typically, a cluster like this, with this type of property taken, would indicate someone living or hanging out in the neighborhood, and property taken to be resold through recycling is often taken by transients.

Police warn residents to lock their cars so thieves can't access the hood release.  Often chaining the hood closed with a lock can safeguard batteries too.

Prepared by

Lt. Paul Vernon

LAPD Mission Police Station.