Cars Stolen In Shafter And Delano

SHAFTER, Calif. -- It may be the season for giving, but for some people it’s the season of taking. ABC23’s North County reporter, Crystal Figueroa, spoke with CHP officers Wednesday who said car jackers hit the streets more often during a foggy Thanksgiving.

CHP said with the cooler weather and fog people tend to turn the ignition and walk back inside their home while their car heats up in the driveway. Officers said that is a welcome mat for car thieves and those numbers tend to rise in Delano and Shafter.

“You have certain neighborhoods that are going to be more prone to it…but now people are actually driving around looking for you to start your car,” said CHP Captain Brian Smith.

Smith said this year they are cracking down on car jackers harder than ever with undercover drivers looking for suspicious activity.

Shafter drivers said they are not surprised the numbers go up in their area.

One woman said she always leaves her car in her garage out of fear of having it stolen.

Smith said the best thing you can do to prevent your car from being stolen is to use common sense by locking your doors, don’t let valuables show through windows, and look out for one another.

He said if you do see someone snooping around a vehicle and if it looks suspicious, he said get a description of the person and the car including its plates and dial 9-1-1. He said never approach the suspect.

Chp wants to remind drivers that officers will be out in maximum enforcement for the thanksgiving holiday.

They said always drive with you low beams though the fog since your bright lights will only reflect more glare into your eyes.