Car thefts skyrocket, but why is a mystery
1. Lock your vehicle.
2. Use anti-theft devices.
3. Park your vehicle in a well-lighted area at night.
4. Make sure you receive an ownership certificate when purchasing a used vehicle.
5. Never leave keys in vehicle.
6. Never hide a spare ignition key in the vehicle.
7. Install an audible alarm system.
8. When possible, park your vehicle in a secure garage.
9. Beware of your surroundings prior to leaving your vehicle.
10. Beware of high theft vehicles.
Most stolen cars in California
• 1994 Honda Accord.
• 1998 Honda Civic.
• 1991 Toyota Camry.
• 1994 Acura Integra.
• 2004 Chevrolet full-size pickup truck.
• 2006 Ford full-size pickup truck.
• 1994 Nissan Sentra.
• 2010 Toyota Corolla.
• 1997 Nissan Altima.
• 1988 Toyota pickup truck 4X2.
Source: National Insurance Crime Bureau
Less than two months into the new year, vehicle theft reports are on pace to break records in Marysville and Yuba City.
Since Jan. 1, Marysville police have taken 19 stolen vehicle reports, compared to just five over the same period in 2012, said Sgt. Chris Sachs of the Marysville Police Department.
Yuba City police have taken nearly 50 stolen vehicle reports since Jan. 1, including six reports since Saturday, spokeswoman Shawna Pavey said.
"I can't pinpoint exactly why it's happening," Sachs said.
"It appears quite widespread," Pavey said.
The most recent arrests and recoveries came Sunday in Marysville when officers found two stolen vehicles and made two arrests at a home in the 1200 block of Pine Street.
David Scott Branham, 31, and Mackenze Potoczny, 23, both of Yuba City, were taken into custody. Police recovered a silver Nissan Sentra and a black Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck. Both vehicles were reported stolen the same day in Sutter County. The California Highway Patrol has taken 48 car theft reports during the same period, according to Officer Jodie Beck.
Most of the stolen vehicles have been recovered after thieves have stripped the cars of stereos, GPS systems and other valuables left inside, authorities said.
Similar trends have been reported in Colusa. Other car-theft spikes have been reported across the nation.
Police said thefts have not been isolated to any particular area or even one or two groups of thieves. Most reports have been unrelated.
"We've had multiple arrests, involving multiple people," Sachs said.
Many thefts occur during the early morning hours with cars left unattended while running being particularly vulnerable, police said.
"Obviously there are some preventative measures that can be taken," Pavey said, "like not leaving valuables in plain sight or leaving your keys in the car."
