O.C. thieves are stealing tailgates from Toyota Tacomas

The Costa Mesa Police Department has seen an uptick in tailgates being stolen from Toyota Tacomas in the last several months.

From April to May, 20 tailgates were reported stolen here in Costa Mesa and 19 of those were from Tacomas.

One of the thefts the police are investigating includes video of two suspects that the investigators would like to identify.

Between May 12, 7pm, and May 13, 8:15am, Suspect 1 removed the tailgate from a gray 2016 Tacoma parked on the 1000 block of West Wilson St. The video captured the suspect carrying the tailgate back to his black Honda sedan and placing it in the trunk while Suspect 2 was in the passenger seat waiting.

If you have any information on these two suspects, please contact the CMPD’s Investigations Services Bureau at 714.754.5205.

Protect yourself from being a victim by securing your tailgate. Most truck models have the ability to lock tailgates with a key while in the closed position. Remember to lock your tailgate to deter thieves and protect your property.

Art Pedroza Editor

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

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