Officers Uncover Burglary Tools, Drugs After Tracking Down Stolen Car In East Bay: PD

ALAMEDA, CA — Officers recovered a stolen vehicle and seized thousands of dollars' worth of burglary tools from a suspect in Alameda on Monday morning, police said.

Police say the suspect stole the car around 6 a.m. from a home near Lincoln Avenue and Grand Street.

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"Fortunately, the vehicle owner had taken proactive steps and outfitted the vehicle with multiple discreetly placed location devices," The Alameda Police Department said. "Combined with APD's Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs), officers were able to monitor the vehicle's location in real time and follow its movements."

When the suspect realized officers were "closing in," they tried to hide the car in a neighborhood, but it was too late, police said.

Officers found the car and thousands of dollars' worth of professional-grade tools, along with burglary tools, theft devices, and drugs inside, police said.

The items are now being returned to their owners, police said. Police did not say whether officers found the suspect alongside the vehicle or took anyone into custody.

But the incident was "another reminder that time matters when reporting a crime," police said.

"Criminals will often steal vehicles to facilitate other crimes," police said. "The sooner law enforcement is notified, the sooner officers can begin working to locate and recover the vehicle."

The Alameda Police Department offered the following tips to protect cars from being stolen:

• Place location devices in discreet locations in your vehicle
• Use mechanical anti-theft devices, such as steering-wheel locks, gas-pedal locks, or wheel clamps.

• Notify law enforcement immediately when you become aware that a crime has occurred.

"Your quick action can make a difference," police said.