KERMAN - Since January 1st the Kerman Police Department has taken ten stolen vehicle reports from various locations around the city. This is a significant increase compared to the vehicle thefts reported in January of last year. Only one vehicle theft was reported in the month of January in 2017. The rise in vehicle thefts in Kerman is consistent with the rise of reported vehicle thefts in nearby cities.

The Kerman PD Detective has been in communication with the Fresno County Auto Theft Task Force (H.E.A.T) as these recent cases are investigated. Several of the stolen vehicles have been recovered including a vehicle that was located in the Delano area where it was found stripped and burned.

It appears that the stolen vehicles are selected at random with no indication that a particular make or model is being targeted. However, several of the vehicles were 1990’s model vehicles that are more susceptible to access with a shaved or modified key. If you own similar model vehicles we suggest additional security measures such as alarms or locking devices for the steering wheel.

The Kerman Police Department is offering steering wheel locking devices that are free of charge for anyone interested. The locking device can be picked up at the police department during business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:00AM to 5:00PM, until all the devices are given away.

With the cold temperatures in the morning, it is common for motorists to warm up their vehicles before leaving for work or dropping the students off to school. Avoid leaving the vehicles unattended with the keys in the ignition while warming the vehicle. We are encouraging the community to secure their vehicles, keep valuables out of sight, and to report any suspicious activity.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at (559) 4987867. You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.