Full Notification

Who: Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) Captain Martin Rodriguez (TRAP), Lieutenant Steven Ruiz (LASD), Lieutenant Bruce Hosea (LAPD), and Sergeant Cralos Ortega (LASD).   
 
What:  The Taskforce for Regional Autotheft Prevention (TRAP), is looking for additional auto theft victims of 24 year-old Jose Enrique Esquivel. Suspect Esquivel is identified as a prolific car thief who victimized vehicle owners with modest incomes. The victims identified to date, reside in the areas of South East Los Angeles County, including the city of Los Angeles.  Suspect Esquivel showed little regard for the owners of these vehicles, who many times depended on these stolen vehicles as their sole means of transportation. 

The suspect is also accused of exploiting the modification to the Los Angeles County Bail Schedule during his crime spree, while the County endured the statewide COVID-19 emergency where most crimes were designated to have zero bail.  Esquivel was arrested for stealing at least (11) vehicles during the period of March 30, 2020 through June 23, 2020.

Anyone who believes they may be an additional victim of Suspect Jose Enrique Esquivel please call TRAP at 800-299-8727.  

The Taskforce for Regional Autotheft Prevention (TRAP) was established in 1993 under the direction of the Countywide Criminal Justice Coordination Committee (CCJCC) with the Sheriff designated as the Regional Coordinator. The task force consists of regional investigative teams from various law enforcement agencies in Los Angeles County. TRAP’s mission is to reduce the incidents of auto theft countywide by coordinating a deterrence, investigation, and prosecutorial program with all criminal justice agencies, and private sector business leaders.

When:  Tuesday, July 21, 2020
             11:00 A.M.
 
 
Where:  Century Sheriff’s Station
                11703 Alameda Street
                 Lynwood, CA 90262
            
 
***Note to the media**Parking at the front of the station just past the booth is not controlled by LASD. A fee will be charged by the attendant.***
 

The information contained in this advisory is extended to accredited, subscribing media outlets only.  Please do not forward this advisory or share details with non-media parties prior to the event.  For questions or information, please contact the Sheriff’s Information Bureau at 213-229-1850.  Thank you. 
 
 
Deputy Trina Schrader
Sheriff's Information Bureau
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
211 West Temple Street,
Los Angeles California 90012
213-229-1700
 
Website: http://www.lasd.org
 
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Alex Villanueva, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department