Deputies say car break-ins on the rise

Agoura Hills and Calabasas were hit with a rash of car breakins last week, the Lost Hills Sheriff's Station reported.

Burglars hve been stealing purses, laptops, iPods and anything of value that was left inside the vehicles, said Dep. Wayne Encinas, a Lost Hills spokesperson.

At least 15 such burglaries occurred in the Liberty Canyon area, in Old Agoura and around Chumash Park. Cars parked on streets near Calabasas High School and Mulholland Highway, also were targeted, Encinas said.

The local incidents are not isolated. Other cities have experienced similar increases in vehicle thefts and burglaries.

In Oak Park there have been 23 thefts from vehicles since Jan. 9, the Ventura County Sheriff's Department reported.

According to Thousand Oaks police, 300 thefts from vehicles were reported in the area in the past six months.

Several local law enforcement agencies have created an informal mini task force in an attempt to curb the trend.

Detectives from the Los Angeles and Ventura county sheriff's departments and Thousand Oaks, Moorpark and Simi Valley police met last week to share information and work on ways to end the crime spree.

Most of the cars targeted held valuable items left in plain view, authorities said.

In addition to computer and electronics thefts, police said many car burglaries also evolve into forgery, identity theft and credit card fraud cases.

"If you leave your purse or wallet in your car, you won't just be a crime victim once. You will likely be hit with the follow-up use of credit cards and financial information that will take tremendous time and effort to resolve," said Capt. Bruce Watlington, who supervises the investigations team assigned to Thousand Oaks.

Most of the break-ins would not have occurred if people had taken the time to remove valuables from their cars and lock them, authorities said.

Part of the problem is the lack of community awareness and neighborly support, Watlington said.

Even if they see a crime occur, some neighbors do not call 911, giving time for thieves to escape.

- - Sylvie Belmond