Full Notification

Mid-City:  Detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Wilshire area are seeking the public’s help in identifying suspects involved in a recent significant spike in grand theft auto and burglaries from motor vehicles.  After enjoying a decrease in these crimes in the beginning of the year, detectives are warning residents to remain vigilant after a 25-percent increase in auto theft and more than 30-percent increase in burglaries from cars in the past four weeks.
 
“We need all the help we can get,” said Detective III Salvador Loera, Wilshire’s auto crimes coordinator.  “Make sure you lock your doors, take your valuables with you and speak up if you see anything suspicious.”
 
Since the beginning of the year, auto theft is down nearly 6 percent and car burglaries are down 10 percent in Wilshire.  Detectives attribute this to targeted patrol in problem areas, focused scrutiny on repeat offenders and greater awareness from residents about securing their cars.  In the last four weeks, however, Wilshire reported 45 stolen vehicles, up from 36 in the previous four-week period.  Burglaries from motor vehicles similarly increased to 103 crimes, up from 76 in the previous four-week period.
 
“We can’t afford to get complacent,” Loera said.  “This is a beautiful area—and we want to keep it that way.  We need our partners in the community to help reverse this trend and get the bad guys out of here.”
 
Anyone with information is asked to call Wilshire area detectives at 213-922-8205.  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.