South Gate Police Find No Correlation in Spike of Vehicle Thefts

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The South Gate Police Department (SGPD) has told Patch that the most recent wave of stolen vehicles showed no signs of being connected.

“There does not appear to be any specific evidence indicating that any of these [grand theft autos] are related,” said Captain Keith Hupp of the SGPD. “Absent an eyewitness or physical evidence it’s often very difficult for law enforcement to tell if one GTA is related to another.” 

From October 19 to October 26 there were 19 vehicle thefts reported within South Gate. The SGPD told Patch that short term spikes can happen, but that its best to look at longer periods for analysis.

“There is always a wide variance in [grand theft auto] statistics from day to day, week to week, and month to month,” said Capt. Hupp. “This is one of the statistics that is better to look at as an average over a longer period of time, such as by year.”  

In 2011 the SGPD calculated that the number of grand theft autos vehicles fluctuated between 72 and 126 every month, for a total average of 98 per month. 

While In 2012, the number has fluctuated between 47 and 100 every month, for a total average of 66.5 per month. 

The SGPD said that there are many reasons that can cause a sudden spike in vehicle thefts. Residents parking habits can play an important role in creating a setting that is conducive to more vehicle thefts.

For example, densely populated cities were residents have to park their cars on the streets, several blocks from their homes, are more prone to this, according to police.

The SGPD warns, that he most common type of stolen vehicle are older Honda and Toyota models. 

“This month we are seeing more [grand theft autos] than the previous month,” admitted Capt. Hupp.  “However, it still appears to be within our average number.” 

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