NBC 4 - News - Rash Of Tailgate Thefts Hits San Fernando Valley
LOS ANGELES -- A rash of pickup truck tailgate thefts has struck the San Fernando Valley, police said Friday.
Although thefts of truck tailgates have occurred throughout the entire valley, there has been an "unusually high number" in the Mission Division in the past week, according to a statement released by the Los Angeles Police Department.
The Mission Division covers Granada Hills, Knollwood, Mission Hills, North Hills, Panorama City and Sylmar.
Thirty-six tailgates were reported stolen from trucks in the Mission Division this year, police said.
It was not immediately clear whether the thefts were related, Officer Jason Lee of LAPD Media Relations said.
"We're not ruling anything out," Lee said. "It could be one person or a group of people."
The tailgates are stolen from trucks, then sold to body shops to be used as replacements for customers, Lee said.
"They turn around and sell them to unsuspecting -- or suspecting -- body shops," Lee said.
The tailgates can be worth about $1,000, Lee said.
Model year 2000 and newer Fords, Chevrolets, Dodges and GMCs were the most commonly targeted, police said.
Tailgates on American-made trucks tend to be easier to steal, Lee said.
Truck owners can protect their tailgates by buying aftermarket tailgate locks, which cost about $25, police said. Some newer trucks come with the locks from the dealership, police said.
Also, etching the truck's vehicle identification number into the tailgate can increase the likelihood of getting a stolen tailgate back, police said.
Anyone who has had a tailgate stolen or has information about the tailgate thefts is asked to call LAPD detectives at (818) 838-9810.
Rash Of Tailgate Thefts Hits San Fernando Valley
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