Burglary / Auto Theft Section

About the Burglary / Auto Theft Section

 
The Auto Theft Section is staffed by one sergeant and two detectives. The Auto Theft Section detectives are responsible for investigating stolen and embezzled vehicles, and conducting body shop and vehicle inspections. Contact the Burglary/Auto Theft Section at 310-412-5245.

 

Despite your best efforts, your home may some day be burglarized.  The actions you take from the time you discover the crime to the moment police arrive are crucial.

 

If you return home and find your door or window ajar, don’t go inside.  Instead, go to a neighbor’s home and immediately call the police (9-1-1).  In the event of a surprise encounter with an intruder, attempt to immediately get away to a place of safety.  Never attempt to detain the intruder, as he may be armed.  Your property is replaceable, but you are not!

 

There are generally three different types of burglars: the professional, the semi-professional and the amateur.  Although the average homeowner will rarely encounter a professional thief, you need to be aware of the semi-professional and amateur burglars.  Residential burglars are often male teenagers who live near your home.  They are opportunists who look for easy targets.  If the risk of detection is too high, the average burglar will not attempt to enter your home.

 

According to the FBI statistics, only one in four home burglaries involves some type of forcible entry.  Most burglars enter homes through open doors or windows.

 

For a systematic approach to home security, look at your residence and consider the exterior features of your home.  Then think what you can do about the interior.

 

Think like a burglar

• Pretend you’re a burglar who’s scoping out your neighborhood.  Look for any feature of your property that offers opportunities to an intruder.  For example, a ladder left outdoors offers potential access to second-floor windows.  Leaving your garage door open while you do yard work can also tempt burglars.

Landscape for security

• Design your yard with security in mind. Arrange sight lines so neighbors can see into your yard.  A solid fence promotes privacy but makes it easier for criminals to work undetected.  Consider a chain link fence instead.

Add outdoor lighting

 

• Make sure all potential entry points to your house are well-lit.  These points include doors and windows. Motion detector lights that automatically turn on when they detect nearby movement are an excellent choice. 

Install solid doors

 

• Check your exterior doors. Those made of solid metal or wood offer the most security.  If you can push a straight pin into the door without much effort, the door probably has a hollow core.  A burglar could easily kick in this door, so replace it with a solid door.  Also, consider replacing doors with a lot of glass, as burglars can easily break the glass to gain entry.

Install deadbolts locks

 

• Deadbolt locks offer the greatest protection.  They come in two types: single-cylinder deadbolt locks operate with a key on the outside, and a thumb turn on the inside.  Double-cylinder deadbolt locks operate with a key on both sides.  Deadbolts with double cylinders offer an advantage when there’s glass in or near the door.  If a burglar breaks the glass, they won’t be able to unlock the cylinder by reaching in.

Secure your windows

 

• Window locks offer an inexpensive way to deter burglars.  When installed on double-hung windows (those that slide up and down), these locks usually work when the window is completely closed.  With other types of windows, you can mount locks on the corners or sides and these locks add security when the windows are partially open.  In either case, make sure family members know how to unlock and open the windows easily in case of an emergency.  

Consider a burglar alarm

 

• Alarm systems can benefit homeowners who live in isolated areas, spend long periods away from home or who keep high value items in the home. 

Burglar-proof your possessions

 

• Consider engraving valuable items with a personal ID, such as a driver’s license or California Identification number.  Photographs are also very helpful in identifying or recovering property.  When you purchase expensive items such as computers, audio equipment or big screen televisions, don’t leave the boxes on your curb since potential thieves can easily detect what you have in your house.  Instead, break up the boxes and store them out of sight until your next garbage collection day. 

Change your habits

 

• Locks and alarm systems are wasted if they go unused.  Home security means adopting effective habits, as well as adding hardware to your home, for example: 

• Lock windows and doors every night.
• Before talking to a stranger who comes to your door, ask for identification.
• Supervise people who repair appliances or read meters in your home.
• When children answer the door, have them say, “My parents are busy,” rather than “My parents aren’t home.”
• When you leave for vacation, make your home look occupied. Install timers or indoor lights. Keep a car parked in the driveway.
• Close your shutters, blinds or curtains at night or when you’re not home.  This minimizes a criminal’s opportunity to “shop around.”
• Consider not putting your home address on your luggage when traveling.  This alerts people that your home may be unoccupied. Use an alternate address, such as for a business or P.O. Box. 

Organize

 

• Form a Neighborhood Watch Block Club with your neighbors and agree to keep an eye on each other’s property.  Ask people to call 9-1-1 when they see suspicious activity or crimes in progress.  Remember that Block Clubs are not just for people who own single-family dwellings.  People in apartments, town home complexes and condominiums can also become the “eyes and ears” for each other. 

• For more information about forming a Neighborhood Watch Block Club in your community, please contact the Inglewood Police Department’s Community Affairs Section at telephone number (310) 412-5530.