Full Notification

The Santa Barbara Police Department is investigating several reports of daytime window-smash auto burglaries that occurred over the weekend in the parking areas associated with popular trails and walking paths.  On Sunday, December 11, 2016 three vehicles were burglarized at the Jesusita Trail and one was burglarized at the Andree Clark Bird Refuge.

The Santa Barbara Police Department is advising the public of the vulnerability for burglary and theft from vehicles that exists at these types of locations.  Thieves will stakeout these parking areas, knowing that victims will leave their vehicles unattended for periods of time, often with valuables inside that they did not want to carry on their hikes.  Wallets, purses, backpacks, cellphones, and other small electronic devices are items that are frequently stolen.

To reduce the risk of being the victim of a crime and to prevent loss, the Santa Barbara Police Department is reminding residents parking at trailheads to lock their vehicles and to avoid storing valuables in them.  At a minimum, valuables in cars should be kept out of sight.  Hikers should consider carrying their valuables with them or leaving them at home.  Suspicious people or activity at these locations should be reported to police by calling 9-1-1.