Petaluma Police Officer Receives CHP Award For Stolen Vehicle Recovery

Press release from the Petaluma Police Department:

PETALUMA, CA — The Petaluma Police Department nominated Officer Tawny Pabros for the awarding of the prestigious California Highway Patrol 10851 Vehicle Recovery Award. The award has been offered by the California Highway Patrol in partnership with AAA Insurance group. The statewide award program is named after the California Vehicle Code number for vehicle theft, 10851. Awards are given to officers and sergeants of the California Highway Patrol or a participating local law enforcement agency who have, during a 12-month period, achieved one of the following:

• Made six, separate arrests of alleged thieves who were in the process of driving the cars they had allegedly stolen
• Recovered a total of 12 stolen vehicles, of which at least three must have been in the act of being driven
• Developed information resulting in the identification of a vehicle theft ring, the subsequent arrest of two or more suspects, and the recovery of at least 10 vehicles

In 2020, a total of 180,939 vehicles were stolen statewide, at an estimated total value of approximately $1.6 billion. The average rate of theft in 2020 was one vehicle every 3 minutes. Many vehicle theft crimes frequently overlap into traditional criminal activity including a growing trend including violent crime. Recent studies have reported that ninety-seven percent of motor vehicle thieves were also charged with other crimes such as arson, drug trafficking, controlled substance violations, kidnapping, financial fraud, burglary, robbery, weapons violations, and criminal mischief.

During a one-year period of March 2021 through March 2022, Officer Pabros recovered a total of thirteen (13) vehicles that had been reported as stolen to law enforcement. Three of these incidents also resulted in the apprehension of suspects involved in vehicle theft. Officer Pabros’ proactive actions have reunited numerous victims with their vehicles and as evidenced above have made our community safer for all community members. Last week Officer Pabros was presented with her 10851 Award Pin.

Join us in congratulating Officer Pabros on this accomplishment and for her efforts reducing crime in Petaluma.

This press release was produced by the Petaluma Police Department. The views expressed here are the author's own.