Crime & Safety

Navigation Systems Swiped from Newport Cars

Police say six navigation systems were stolen Saturday afternoon from locked cars sitting in parking structures.

Police say thieves in Newport Beach broke into SUVs over the weekend and stole six in-dash navigation systems.

Kathy Lowe, spokeswoman for the Newport Beach Police Department, says the incidents occurred Saturday between 3:30 and 7:17 p.m. Two Cadillac Escalades parked in the 900 block of Newport Center Drive were targeted and each had a navigation system stolen. Three SUVs parked in the parking structure at Hoag Hospital were also hit. A navigation system and steering wheel air bag was taken from a Chevy Tahoe, a navigation system and third row seat were take from a Cadillac Escalade and a navigation system was stolen from a GMC Yukon. A navigation system was also swiped from a Cadillac Escalade parked in the 3400 block of Via Lido.

"One door was punched in, but the method of how they got into the others was unknown," Lowe said.

Find out what's happening in Newport Beach-Corona Del Marwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In-dash navigation systems have been a hot commodity in Newport Beach. More than a dozen SUVs w in the same area as this weekend's incidents.

"We haven't been hit like this for awhile, but it's unsettling that they go back to the same three locations,” Lowe said.

Find out what's happening in Newport Beach-Corona Del Marwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The following tips are recommended to keep your third-row seats secure:

  • Use a bicycle-style cable lock to secure the third-row seat to your vehicle. 
  • Remove the seat when not in use. 
  • Park your vehicle in the garage. 
  • Engrave the VIN number or your driver license number on the seat frame.
  • Consider parking in an open lot. At night, make sure the lot is well-lighted. Most of the thefts have occurred in parking structures.
  •  When possible, back your vehicle in against a solid object to prevent access to the rear of your vehicle.

If you see suspicious activity, call the Newport Beach Police Department at 949-644-3717.


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