San Clemente

City of San Clemente

Chief's Crime Alert

This Alert is timely information for you, to help you and others from becoming a victim of crime. June 19, 2008 Over the last two years southern California counties experienced a large increase in theft of metals: copper wire and piping, metal fixtures, air conditioning components, and now vehicle catalytic converters. These converters contain expensive metals that thieves can recycle and collect money at re-cycling centers. These crimes are happening at night, usually during the week. Toyota products, especially 1990's trucks commonly fall victim to this crime, although catalytic converters are stolen off other models of vehicles. Up until this month, San Clemente was one of the few cities not to fall victim to this theft. However, the thieves are now moving south, so we must be vigilant in our awareness of suspicous activity in and around our neighborhoods. Report any suspicious activity to the Orange County Sheriff's Department Dispatch at 949-770-6011. Be safe, and consider joining your local Neighborhood Watch in your community. April 20, 2007 North Orange County is experiencing a rise in “Distraction Thefts” from vehicles. One suspect will approach you stating you have a flat tire. As you get out to check your tire, another suspect goes in through the passenger door and steals valuables out of your car; usually a purse, laptop, or iPod off the front seat. A second scenario documented shows a suspect waiting in a bank, then following a victim to their car with a large sum of money, placing it in their vehicle. Anytime you turn your back on your car you should lock the car. Whether you are getting gas, running into the market or post office, or talking to someone outside your car, be sure to secure it. Let's all work together to keep San Clemente a safe place for everyone. April 20, 2007 Recently, in Laguna Woods and San Clemente three men targeted retirement-age females with vehicle repair scams. In Laguna Woods, they approached a female offering to repair dents on her car. The victim in San Clemente was told she had a bad tire. The suspects offer to follow the women home to work on their vehicles. As they get to the residence, the suspect's partners are found already at the victim's home and coax the female into letting them into their house to use the restroom. After they leave, the victim finds things were stolen from her home. Known vehicles the suspects use are a black unknown make SUV with tinted windows. A metallic sign on the car reads, "Mobile Auto Repair". The second vehicle is a 2002 dark green Toyota van with a sign, "Low Cost Body Repair". If you are approached by anyone you do not know or makes you uncomfortable, do not talk with them, and as soon as you can report it to the Sheriff’s Department at: (949) 770-6011. Keep yourself safe and help us stop crime in you neighborhood. December 5, 2006 A holiday warning for those of us that want to give "gift cards" as presents: thieves have once again found another way to darken the holidays. The crook goes into a store that displays gift cards, and copies down the card numbers on the back of the card. They will periodically call the store to find out the balance on the card. Once the store validates over the phone that the card is activated, the crook can now go online and make purchases, using the identifying information off the card. When the actual card receiver tries to use the card, all the money is gone. This does not apply to all cards, but only to those that can be used "card not present" (CNP) situations. To be safe, ask when buying a gift card that it has not been displayed. Another safe way of purchasing gift cards is over the Internet or ordering your gift card over the phone. During our holiday season, remember to keep purchases, purses, backpacks and other bags out of view by locking them in your truck. Criminals know to walk through shopping center parking lots to look for your newly purchased gifts. Criminals often return the items for cash or a gift card before you ever know they're gone! Please be smart and safe, and pass this on to your family and friends. November 14, 2006 Recently in north Orange County and parts of Los Angeles, hundreds of people became victims of theft and possibly identity theft by using ATM cards at gas stations and grocery stores. It is suspected that “skimmers” were attached to the pay point islands at gas stations, particularly ARCO stations. (A Skimmer is a small box that is used to capture account numbers and PIN codes onto a memory chip. This information is later used to create fake ATM and credit cards.) Crime Prevention recommends not using your ATM/debit cards if at all possible, and instead use cash or a credit card. Report anything suspicious to the Sheriff’s Department at: (949) 770-6011. Help yourself and others from becoming victims – and keep City San Clemente safe! May 26, 2006 As summer approaches, we see an increase in gang graffiti on both public and private property. The graffiti or "tagging" is usually spray painted on walls, buildings, signs, or utility boxes. If you find any graffiti, please report it to our graffiti hotline immediately at: (949) 361-9385. Messages are forwarded to an on-duty deputy who will come out; take a report and a photo of the damage. If you witness in-progress graffiti, report it by calling 9-1-1. It is the property owner's responsibility to remove the graffiti as soon as possible. Graffiti diminishes the quality of life. It sends out a message that "nobody cares" about the area and invites other gangs into our neighborhoods. Help protect our neighborhoods by stomping out crime…Together is Better. January 13, 2006 There have been several recent vehicles burglaries occurring in the parking lots of gyms South Orange County. These crimes appear to be well planned and executed. The suspects profile people entering a gym then break into their cars to steal purses, wallets and other valuables left in plain view. It is important to always ensure that valuables like cell phones, purses, wallets, I-Pods, laptops or anything else of value is secured in your trunk or out of plain view whenever your vehicle is left unattended. Many of these types of offenses are crimes of opportunity. By making things less appealing and more difficult for a burglar, you make yourself less likely to become a victim of crime. Whenever you leave your car unattended, please remember to lock it and activate the alarm if you have one. Let's work together to keep San Clemente a safe and secure place to live, work and play! November 29, 2005 Holiday's are upon us and with them comes a need for all of us to do what we can to minimize the likelihood that we will become a victim of crime. When shopping, be sure to secure all of your holiday purchases in the trunk of your car; packages visible from the outside of the car make an inviting target for opportunistic thieves. Be cognizant of your surroundings when walking alone in parking lots and parking structures. Keep a cell phone with you and report all suspicious activity to the Sheriff's Department dispatch at (949) 770-6011. Let's work together to make this a crime free holiday season! September 1, 2005 There have been three burglaries of commercial businesses in the 600 block of Camino De Los Mares over last weekend, August 26 - 28, 2005. Some type of prying tool was used to gain entry in two of the burglaries. They are occurring when the businesses are closed, possibly at night. The loss in all three cases was computer equipment and telephone systems. Please be sure to secure your business at the end of the day and activate your alarm system if you have one. Please report any suspicious people to Sheriff's Dispatch by calling (949) 770-6011. Help us help you keep your business safe! July 28, 2005 Twice in the last month a man described as a male, white, 30 to 50 years of age with a heavy build weighing between 225 - 250 pounds has posed an air conditioning repairman claiming he needed to check the vents in the businesses. On both occasions wallets were stolen from offices in the buildings. Make yourself less likely to become a victim of crime by confirming the legitimacy and identity of all contractors entering your place of business. If you encounter this suspect, please call Sheriff's Dispatch at 770-6011. Do not try to detain the man, but pay attention to his physical description, clothing and mannerisms and attempt to get a vehicle description and license plate if at all possible. Help us help you fight crime! Since the beginning of summer we have seen an increase in thefts from unlocked vehicles. Please be sure that your vehicle is locked when unattended and any valuables such as wallets, purses, cell phones or briefcases are removed or secured in the trunk. Remember, you are in the best position to ensure you are not a victim of a crime. 3000 block of Eminencia Del Norte San Clemente High School 2400 block of Corte Merlango 100 block of Vista Montana 400 block of Calle Empalme 600 block of N. El Camino Real 10 block of Calle Prospero 300 block of Avenida Costanzo 3900 block of Carta De Plata 2100 block of Calle Ola Verde 2100 block of Avenida Oliva 200 Block of Avenida Serra 400 block of N. El Camino Real 1100 block of Del Cerro

This Alert
is timely information for you,
to help you and others
from becoming a victim of crime.

June 19, 2008

Over the last two years southern California counties experienced a large increase in theft of metals: copper wire and piping, metal fixtures, air conditioning components, and now vehicle catalytic converters. These converters contain expensive metals that thieves can recycle and collect money at re-cycling centers.

These crimes are happening at night, usually during the week. Toyota products, especially 1990's trucks commonly fall victim to this crime, although catalytic converters are stolen off other models of vehicles.

Up until this month, San Clemente was one of the few cities not to fall victim to this theft. However, the thieves are now moving south, so we must be vigilant in our awareness of suspicous activity in and around our neighborhoods. Report any suspicious activity to the Orange County Sheriff's Department Dispatch at 949-770-6011. Be safe, and consider joining your local Neighborhood Watch in your community.

April 20, 2007

North Orange County is experiencing a rise in “Distraction Thefts” from vehicles. One suspect will approach you stating you have a flat tire. As you get out to check your tire, another suspect goes in through the passenger door and steals valuables out of your car; usually a purse, laptop, or iPod off the front seat. A second scenario documented shows a suspect waiting in a bank, then following a victim to their car with a large sum of money, placing it in their vehicle. Anytime you turn your back on your car you should lock the car. Whether you are getting gas, running into the market or post office, or talking to someone outside your car, be sure to secure it. Let's all work together to keep San Clemente a safe place for everyone.

April 20, 2007

Recently, in Laguna Woods and San Clemente three men targeted retirement-age females with vehicle repair scams. In Laguna Woods, they approached a female offering to repair dents on her car. The victim in San Clemente was told she had a bad tire. The suspects offer to follow the women home to work on their vehicles. As they get to the residence, the suspect's partners are found already at the victim's home and coax the female into letting them into their house to use the restroom. After they leave, the victim finds things were stolen from her home. Known vehicles the suspects use are a black unknown make SUV with tinted windows. A metallic sign on the car reads, "Mobile Auto Repair". The second vehicle is a 2002 dark green Toyota van with a sign, "Low Cost Body Repair". If you are approached by anyone you do not know or makes you uncomfortable, do not talk with them, and as soon as you can report it to the Sheriff’s Department at: (949) 770-6011. Keep yourself safe and help us stop crime in you neighborhood.

December 5, 2006

A holiday warning for those of us that want to give "gift cards" as presents: thieves have once again found another way to darken the holidays. The crook goes into a store that displays gift cards, and copies down the card numbers on the back of the card. They will periodically call the store to find out the balance on the card. Once the store validates over the phone that the card is activated, the crook can now go online and make purchases, using the identifying information off the card. When the actual card receiver tries to use the card, all the money is gone. This does not apply to all cards, but only to those that can be used "card not present" (CNP) situations. To be safe, ask when buying a gift card that it has not been displayed. Another safe way of purchasing gift cards is over the Internet or ordering your gift card over the phone.

During our holiday season, remember to keep purchases, purses, backpacks and other bags out of view by locking them in your truck. Criminals know to walk through shopping center parking lots to look for your newly purchased gifts. Criminals often return the items for cash or a gift card before you ever know they're gone! Please be smart and safe, and pass this on to your family and friends.

November 14, 2006

Recently in north Orange County and parts of Los Angeles, hundreds of people became victims of theft and possibly identity theft by using ATM cards at gas stations and grocery stores. It is suspected that “skimmers” were attached to the pay point islands at gas stations, particularly ARCO stations. (A Skimmer is a small box that is used to capture account numbers and PIN codes onto a memory chip. This information is later used to create fake ATM and credit cards.) Crime Prevention recommends not using your ATM/debit cards if at all possible, and instead use cash or a credit card. Report anything suspicious to the Sheriff’s Department at: (949) 770-6011. Help yourself and others from becoming victims – and keep City San Clemente safe!

May 26, 2006

As summer approaches, we see an increase in gang graffiti on both public and private property. The graffiti or "tagging" is usually spray painted on walls, buildings, signs, or utility boxes. If you find any graffiti, please report it to our graffiti hotline immediately at: (949) 361-9385. Messages are forwarded to an on-duty deputy who will come out; take a report and a photo of the damage. If you witness in-progress graffiti, report it by calling 9-1-1. It is the property owner's responsibility to remove the graffiti as soon as possible. Graffiti diminishes the quality of life. It sends out a message that "nobody cares" about the area and invites other gangs into our neighborhoods. Help protect our neighborhoods by stomping out crime…Together is Better.

January 13, 2006

There have been several recent vehicles burglaries occurring in the parking lots of gyms South Orange County. These crimes appear to be well planned and executed. The suspects profile people entering a gym then break into their cars to steal purses, wallets and other valuables left in plain view. It is important to always ensure that valuables like cell phones, purses, wallets, I-Pods, laptops or anything else of value is secured in your trunk or out of plain view whenever your vehicle is left unattended. Many of these types of offenses are crimes of opportunity. By making things less appealing and more difficult for a burglar, you make yourself less likely to become a victim of crime. Whenever you leave your car unattended, please remember to lock it and activate the alarm if you have one. Let's work together to keep San Clemente a safe and secure place to live, work and play!

November 29, 2005

Holiday's are upon us and with them comes a need for all of us to do what we can to minimize the likelihood that we will become a victim of crime. When shopping, be sure to secure all of your holiday purchases in the trunk of your car; packages visible from the outside of the car make an inviting target for opportunistic thieves. Be cognizant of your surroundings when walking alone in parking lots and parking structures. Keep a cell phone with you and report all suspicious activity to the Sheriff's Department dispatch at (949) 770-6011. Let's work together to make this a crime free holiday season!

September 1, 2005

There have been three burglaries of commercial businesses in the 600 block of Camino De Los Mares over last weekend, August 26 - 28, 2005. Some type of prying tool was used to gain entry in two of the burglaries. They are occurring when the businesses are closed, possibly at night. The loss in all three cases was computer equipment and telephone systems. Please be sure to secure your business at the end of the day and activate your alarm system if you have one. Please report any suspicious people to Sheriff's Dispatch by calling (949) 770-6011. Help us help you keep your business safe!

July 28, 2005

Twice in the last month a man described as a male, white, 30 to 50 years of age with a heavy build weighing between 225 - 250 pounds has posed an air conditioning repairman claiming he needed to check the vents in the businesses. On both occasions wallets were stolen from offices in the buildings. Make yourself less likely to become a victim of crime by confirming the legitimacy and identity of all contractors entering your place of business. If you encounter this suspect, please call Sheriff's Dispatch at 770-6011. Do not try to detain the man, but pay attention to his physical description, clothing and mannerisms and attempt to get a vehicle description and license plate if at all possible. Help us help you fight crime!

Since the beginning of summer we have seen an increase in thefts from unlocked vehicles. Please be sure that your vehicle is locked when unattended and any valuables such as wallets, purses, cell phones or briefcases are removed or secured in the trunk. Remember, you are in the best position to ensure you are not a victim of a crime.

3000 block of Eminencia Del Norte
San Clemente High School
2400 block of Corte Merlango
100 block of Vista Montana
400 block of Calle Empalme
600 block of N. El Camino Real
10 block of Calle Prospero
300 block of Avenida Costanzo
3900 block of Carta De Plata
2100 block of Calle Ola Verde
2100 block of Avenida Oliva
200 Block of Avenida Serra
400 block of N. El Camino Real
1100 block of Del Cerro