header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
December 7
1921 - William S. Hart marries actress Winifred Westover [story]
Bill and Winifred Hart


A 39-year-old Encino woman was arrested Thursday in Newhall on suspicion of stealing a Budget rental moving truck — the kind of crime that local law enforcement officials say is on the rise amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the early-morning hours, deputies on patrol ran a license plate for a moving truck spotted near Newhall Avenue and Meadowridge Drive, according to Shirley Miller, a spokeswoman for the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station.

The truck, deputies said, came back as a stolen rental from a Budget rental dealership in Sun Valley on July 26 and they conducted a traffic stop.

“She (the driver) told deputies when they asked where the rental place was at, she said it was over on Pine Street in Newhall,” Miller said. “Well, there is no Budget rental facility there. Basically, that’s the location where she stole from the victim who had parked it there.”

Deputies then detained the suspect and her passenger, a 36-year-old transient man, and in addition to the suspected stolen vehicle, deputies reportedly found methamphetamine and paraphernalia inside the vehicle.

Both the woman and the man were then transported and booked at the SCV Sheriff’s Station early Thursday morning. The woman was booked on charges of felony grand theft of a vehicle and both suspects were booked on suspicion of misdemeanor possession of meth and drug paraphernalia.

Theft on the rise
Miller said that crimes of theft on the caliber of grand theft auto are not necessarily on the rise, but crimes of petty theft within the Santa Clarita Valley certainly have risen since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The top crime right now in the Santa Clarita Valley is theft,” said Miller. “It’s been spiking lately.”

While most crimes, outside of domestic violence, have seen a substantial drop-off this year, crimes related to theft, burglary and robbery have not seen the same drop.

For instance, between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2019, there were 280 violent crimes reported to the SCV Sheriff’s Station. In that same time period this year, there were 235, showing a 16.07% drop in violent crime reported to the SCV Sheriff’s Station. However, property crimes, such as theft, during these same time periods show only a 3.13% overall drop.

Vehicle thefts in particular, Miller said, where suspects break into vehicles and steal anything they can find, regardless of where the car is parked, have been frequent.

“There’s a lot of people, like in this moving truck grand theft, that are not from the area, and it seems a large percentage of the suspects that are caught are from the San Fernando Valley, Bakersfield and the Antelope Valley.”

Miller said crimes of theft happen in specific areas or at certain times, such as the report over the weekend that a couple who had parked their car near Whitney Canyon and went hiking returned 45 minutes later to find their car windows had been smashed and a diaper bag had been stolen.

Miller also referenced another incident earlier this week where a suspect reportedly rummaged through the outside compartments of an RV that was not his in front of Ice Station Valencia.

“They didn’t take anything, but it still is going to be a costly repair,” said Miller. “I believe he (the RV owner) said it was $250 a lock for him to repair.”

Overall, Miller said, these crimes are related to a lot of factors, such as drug addiction or people not taking the proper steps to secure their belongings when they’re left unattended. Miller added, though, that another factor is the state requirements in releasing largely nonviolent offenders within hours of their arrest in order to lessen the burden and fear of COVID-19 exposure in jails.

“We see the same names being arrested throughout the week,” said Miller. “It’s like the incident we posted over the weekend where the person was arrested for stealing a car, and he had prior convictions for stealing a car. He’s booked Saturday night around 5 p.m., he’s released in the early-morning hours. And then, within 30 minutes, he’s out committing another crime.”

The SCV is a target for criminals from outside the community because it’s an affluent suburban area that has a feeling of being universally safe, Miller said. But in order for it to be safe, she said, residents need to take the proper precautions to ensure they do not become a target.

Miller suggested that people follow the station’s “9 p.m. Routine” program, which involves residents heading out to their vehicles every night at 9 p.m. and ensuring they are locked and empty of any valuable personal belongings, such as sunglasses, phones and loose change.

“It’s unfortunate, and it’s a hassle,” said Miller of the 9 p.m. Routine. “But you feel so bad for these people because they will have to replace their car window and their personal items that are lost.”

Miller said by minimizing your risk, you assist law enforcement. “We really need the residents’ help in doing that,” she said.

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

0 Comments

You can be the first one to leave a comment.

Leave a Comment


SCV NewsBreak
LOCAL NEWS HEADLINES
Wednesday, Dec 6, 2023
NPS to Collaborate with Tribes on Study of Native American History
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland today announced that the National Park Service will collaborate with Tribes across the nation on a new theme study that will focus on the Indian Reorganization Period to help broaden the understanding of an important chapter in American history.
Wednesday, Dec 6, 2023
Dec. 11: Join Assemblywoman Schiavo for a Holiday Gathering
Join Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo as they gather the community and faith leaders from across Assembly District 40 to share a seasonal message of togetherness while we celebrate the holiday season.
Wednesday, Dec 6, 2023
Spend the Holidays With Gilchrist Farms
Spread the holiday at Gilchrist Farm’s Holiday Hoedown festivities which include holiday parades, Santa visits, petting zoo, caroling, wagon rides, handmade holiday food and treats and holiday crafts.
Keep Up With Our Facebook

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1921 - William S. Hart marries actress Winifred Westover [story]
Bill and Winifred Hart
With the passage of the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics  Act, awareness of airborne hazards faced by veterans in Southwest Asia (SWA), including Iraq and Afghanistan, has grown significantly.
Veterans and Airborne Hazards: Awareness and Action
Learning Post Academy, the William S. Hart Union High School District’s outstanding independent study school, will hold informational meetings via Zoom for interested parents and students on Tuesday, Dec. 12, at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Dec.12: Learning Post Academy Holds Informational Meetings
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland today announced that the National Park Service will collaborate with Tribes across the nation on a new theme study that will focus on the Indian Reorganization Period to help broaden the understanding of an important chapter in American history.
NPS to Collaborate with Tribes on Study of Native American History
The travel exploration series, "On A Quest: with Jaswant," is set to captivate audiences at the Santa Clarita International Film Festival on Dec. 10. 
Dec. 10: “On A Quest: with Jaswant” Screens at SCIFF
Join Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo as they gather the community and faith leaders from across Assembly District 40 to share a seasonal message of togetherness while we celebrate the holiday season.
Dec. 11: Join Assemblywoman Schiavo for a Holiday Gathering
Spread the holiday at Gilchrist Farm’s Holiday Hoedown festivities which include holiday parades, Santa visits, petting zoo, caroling, wagon rides, handmade holiday food and treats and holiday crafts.
Spend the Holidays With Gilchrist Farms
As people make travel plans to celebrate with family and friends this year, the American Red Cross asks donors to set aside time to give blood or platelets for patients waiting for care over the holidays.
Give Blood, Platelets Ahead of Busy Holiday Weeks
1864 - Actor William S. Hart born in Newburgh, New York [Hart Index]
Wm. S. Hart
California State Parks has announced recommendations to the National Park Service for $35.6 million in Land and Water Conservation Fund grants for 16 local park projects. Funding would provide public agencies with the ability to acquire land and/or develop recreational amenities such as playgrounds, sports fields and courts, exercise stations, dog and skate parks.
Via Princessa Park Receives Recommendation for $6M in LWC Funds
Become a docent at Placerita Canyon Natural Area. New docent classes begin on Tuesday, Jan. 9. Classes will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon.
Jan. 9: Docent Classes Begin at Placerita Canyon Natural Area
The 15th Annual Greetings with Gratitude drive has begun and we need your support. All donations must be purchased or delivered by Dec. 10.
Annual Greetings With Gratitude Drive Seeks Help
The J. Paul Getty Trust has named contemporary artist and California Institute of the Arts alum Mark Bradford (Art BFA1995, MFA 1997) as the 2024 recipient of the Getty Prize.
CalArts Alum Mark Bradford Wins the Getty Prize
College of the Canyons had nine players receive All-Western State Conference, South Division accolades after finishing second in the conference before making a postseason run in the 3C2A Southern California Regional playoffs.
COC Women’s Soccer Has Nine Players Earn All-WSC Honors
Marin Lenz scored a career-high 33 points in The Master's University women's basketball 79-65 win over NCAA Division III Redlands University Thursday in Redlands.
Lenz’s Career Night Leads TMU to Road Win
Support Santa Clarita Valley nonprofits on Friday, Jan. 26 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the 11th Annual Santa Clarita Valley Rotary Charity Chili Cook-off.
Tickets on Sale for 11th Annual Charity Chili Cook-off
Join the Encore Chorale of Santa Clarita on Friday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. for their end-of-semester holiday concert this season, singing holiday classics. This concert is free for all to enjoy, but advance tickets are required.
Dec. 15: Encore Chorale of Santa Clarita Presents ‘Holiday Classics’
Step aboard the Holiday Light Tour with Santa Clarita Transit and see the best and brightest holiday light displays in Santa Clarita.
Dec. 15-17: Santa Clarita Transit Holiday Light Tour Trolley
1938 - Supervisors award construction contract for jail at Wayside Farms in Castaic (later called Pitchess Detention Center). [story]
Wayside
The Master’s University has launched a new church and ministry scholarship for prospective students attending churches in the Southern California region (defined with Fresno County as the northern extremity).
TMU Launches Scholarship Serving Students in SoCal Region
The American Red Cross has a critical need for blood donations, and the city of Santa Clarita is urging residents to make a life-saving appointment today.
SCV Blood Donors Urgently Needed
College of the Canyons had five players served with All-Western State Conference, South Division honors after closing out the 2023 season.
Cougars Earn All-WSC Recognition
It came down to the final 3.2 seconds.
Heartbreaking Loss for Mustangs in Florida
College of the Canyons has received a $500,00 grant from the California Workforce Development Board to develop High Road Training Partnerships with regional industry partners.
COC Awarded $500K Training Grant
SCVNews.com
%d