Porsche Thefts in Laguna Beach Prompt Police Warning

The recent theft of two Porsches worth more than $50,000 in Laguna Beach prompted a police warning today.

A 1996 Porsche 911 worth about $55,000 was stolen from the front of a home in the 900 block of Canyon View Drive June 6, and a 1997 Porsche 993 worth about $50,000 was stolen from a driveway in the 700 block of Nyes Place July 10, according to Laguna Beach police Capt. Jason Kravetz. Both thefts occurred at night.

The late-model Porsches are worth more because they have air-cooled systems, and newer model cars have water-cooled systems, Kravetz said. Both of the pilfered Porsches have alarms.

• Never leave your car running or leave the key in the ignition while it is unattended, even to dash into a business, convenience store, gas stations, ATM, etc. Many vehicles are stolen on cold mornings when the victim leaves the vehicle running to warm up.

• Always roll up the windows and lock the vehicle, even if it's in front of your home. Don't make it any easier for the thief to enter.

• Remove all valuables from your vehicle. If you must leave items in the car, remove them from plain sight and secure in the trunk of the vehicle.

• Park in well-lit areas. Over half of all vehicle thefts occur at night.

• If you have a garage, use it. Take the time to use it rather than parking outside where your vehicle is more vulnerable.

• Record your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Stolen cars/parts are more easily traced when vehicle VIN numbers have been etched on car windows and major parts. Copy and keep the VIN in a safe place to assist police in identifying your vehicle in the event that it is stolen.

• Never leave underage children unattended in your vehicle, as it is unsafe and illegal.

Decrease Your Risk

Anti-theft devices really do work and most new cars now come with factory-installed anti-theft devices. If your vehicle does not have a device, several are available on the market that provide the necessary protection. Many auto parts stores offer a variety of protection options such as steering wheel and brake locks, collar or j-bar that lock to the steering column or brake to prevent the wheel from being turned. In addition there are Ignition cutoff switches (Immobilizers), voltage sensing devices (which trigger an alarm when a power drain is detected), motion sensing, and vehicle tracking systems to name a few.