SUBJECT:

Timely Warning – Motor Vehicle Theft

The UC San Diego Police Department has identified a series of motor vehicle thefts targeting UC San Diego department vehicles. The thefts are occurring in the area of parking lot #352. In the most recent vehicle theft, the suspect took the keys for the vehicle out of an unattended office.

There is no suspect in custody at this time, and the UC San Diego Police department is continuing its efforts in these investigations.

If you have information that could be helpful in this investigation, please contact the UC San Diego Police Department at (858) 534-4357 or send an email to detective@ucsd.edu.

The remainder of this email provides general information about preventing and reporting a motor vehicle theft and is not necessarily related to this incident.

If you are the victim of a motor vehicle theft:

Contact the UC San Diego Police Department immediately by calling 9-1-1 and be prepared to provide the following:
• License plate number and vehicle year, make, model and color;
• Date, time, location you last saw your vehicle;
• Date and time you discovered your vehicle missing; and
• Advise if you subscribe to a vehicle tracking service, such as Lojack or OnStar.

Consider contacting confidential campus support resources:
• UC San Diego students – visit Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS): http://caps.ucsd.edu and (858) 534-3755.
• UC San Diego faculty and staff – visit Faculty & Staff Assistance Program (FSAP): http://blink.ucsd.edu/sponsor/hr/org-chart/fsap.html and (858) 534-5523.
• As an employee of UC San Diego Health, effective January 2018, you may choose to see a provider for your Employee Assistance and Behavioral Health Benefits, depending on your medical coverage. Please call the provider which is aligned with your medical provider at one of the toll-free telephone numbers below:
o If you have medical coverage with Core, UC Care, or UC Health Savings Plan (HSP), please call 1-844-437-0486.
o If you have medical coverage with Health Net, Kaiser, or Western Health Advantage, please call 1-866-808-6205.

General safety considerations to prevent a motor vehicle theft:
• Always lock your vehicle, close all windows and sunroof, and take your keys.
• Never leave your vehicle running when unattended.
• Park in busy, well-lit areas. Pick a parking spot where there is a lot of activity. Auto thieves prefer breaking into cars in isolated areas.
• Alarms or anti-theft devices work. Thieves are usually looking for the easiest target. If your car has an alarm or other anti-theft device, it could act as a deterrent, but don’t make the common mistake of assuming that because you have an alarm or anti-theft device, thieves won’t break-in.
• Install a vehicle tracking and location system that can be activated after the vehicle is reported as stolen.
• Don’t leave spare keys in or on your vehicle. An experienced thief knows all the hiding places. Store spare keys elsewhere, such as your wallet or purse.
• Report suspicious activity immediately to the UC San Diego Police Department by calling 9-1-1.

The information about this incident is being reported to you in accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act.