Information about three recent car thefts and a fourth attempted car theft from the west parking lot has led campus police to suspect the involvement of Asian street gangs.
Chief Dunn, of the Yuba College Police Department, warned in an email message that as the number of suspects is large, “the occurrences on campus may continue.” According to Dunn, the suspects work in groups of three to eight. A system of lookouts is used to facilitate the escape of the suspect working on the vehicle.
On Thursday, August 23, a 1994 four-door Honda Civic was stolen from section F in the west lot between 8 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. The next day a 1993 two-door Honda Civic was stolen from the west lot overflow area west of the tennis courts, between 10 a.m. and 2:15 p.m.
Both vehicles were recovered the following Sunday by the Roseville Police Department in the parking lot of the Roseville Galleria Mall.
On Monday October 15, another car, a 1989 Toyota Camry, was stolen from the west parking lot. An observant Lincoln PD officer pursued two young Asian subjects acting suspiciously with the car in a parking lot. One fled, and the other was detained. The car had not yet been reported stolen.
The suspect was booked at Placer County jail for grand theft auto, and also on a Sacramento County warrant charging multiple counts of grand theft auto.
On October 18 another vehicle was broken into, again in the west parking lot. Although the car was not stolen, apparently due to the presence of an anti-theft device requiring a microchip, the stereo and about 30 CDs were taken.
According to Chief Dunn, on October 19 information was reported to the campus police that further implicated local gangs.
In the early hours of Monday, October 22, a multi-agency task force gathered, including Yuba Sheriff’s Office, Marysville P.D., Chief Dunn of Yuba College Police Department, probation, parole, California Youth Authority, and two experts from the CHP’s Valley Auto Theft Task Force. Four residences associated with the Hmong Nation Society and Sex Maniacs Society were searched in the Linda and Olivehurst areas. Evidence and a seized gun led to an arrest.
Dunn warned that since suspects may use firearms, not to intervene if you witness a crime in progress. Instead, contact the police immediately.
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