Local law enforcement seeing more tailgate thefts

UPDATE 1/26/16 4:40 PM:

Insurance agencies say they’re seeing an increase in stolen tailgates over the last few years. It’s been seen in bigger cities like Denver, Houston and Kansas City but now it’s gotten the attention of law enforcement and insurance companies here.

“We have seen an increase or an uptick in our area about the local tailgates being stolen when people forget to lock them,” said Troy Anderson, owner of State Farm Insurance Agency in Salinas.

In fact, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office is closing in on a suspect that is believed to have stolen several tailgates in broad daylight in the Prunedale area.

“This particular person was seen running from the scene of the theft,” said Cmdr. John Thornburg. “He had apparently taken two tailgates and was in the process of taking a third when the auto owner saw him. They pursued him, deputies responded and he fled into a wooded area.”

The Sheriff’s Office says Park and Ride locations are concerning because cars are left unattended virtually all day. Thieves only need 20-30 seconds to take off a tailgate.

There’s apparently a market for these parts, selling around $1,000.

“They will try to sell them here, that’ll shut down,” Cmdr. Thornburg said. “They’ll go to San Jose, they’ll go to other cities outside of the area to sell them. My understanding is this is also online, Craigslist. Selling the tailgates to people who are looking for them.”

But not all cases involve victims. State Farm says some people are doing it to their own trucks just to make a quick buck.

“Any type of fraud throughout the United States usually costs us about $950 per family, in regards to costs of insurance and other related expenses. So that does affect every one of us, whether we are committing the fraud or not.”

In the meantime, truck owners are advised to lock their tailgates and park in well lit areas.

Despite the increase in Monterey County, law enforcement agencies in Santa Cruz County are not experiencing the same crime trend.

ORIGINAL POST:

Officials with Salinas police and the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office say they are seeing an increase in tailgate thefts. In fact, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office is closing in on a suspect believed to have stolen several tailgates in broad daylight in the Prunedale area.

“We do have a fair amount of Park and Rides in the area where it can be concerning because my understanding looking into this, tailgates are not hard to take off unless there’s a lock on them but with other trucks, I’ve heard it can be as fast as 20 seconds they can take a tailgate, put it in the car and drive it off,” said Monterey County Cmdr. John Thornburg.

Tonight on KION, where authorities believe these stolen tailgates are going.