by Araceli Esparza
Features Editor
A black 1997 Honda Civic EX was stolen from the University of La Verne’s Oaks south parking lot on Thursday, Feb. 5.
The owner of the vehicle, Tanya Flores, a sophomore diversified major, believes her car was stolen between the hours of 4-8 a.m.
“Chris [Perez, sophomore] and Aaron [Carlin, senior] were out in the parking lot and saw the car there. They went to sleep at about 3 [a.m.] and when Jamie [Poole, Flores’ roommate] returned from home later that morning, the car was gone,” Flores said.
She filed a police report with the La Verne Police Department, and that afternoon police officials from the City of San Bernardino found the Civic in an apartment carport. The vehicle was on spare tires, and a customized stereo system, intake system, CDs, cash and other items were also stolen.
“It had split five-star rims and tires that were brand new. The tires weren’t even out on the market yet. The car had a Viper alarm, which is a very good alarm, but they must have bypassed the alarm,” she said.
According to John Lentz, director of Campus Safety, the incident was reported to the department following a report to LVPD.
“When we hear about these things, we provide more patrol in those areas,” Lentz said. “We do what we can to discourage this type of activity.”
Flores thus began using her mother’s Cadillac for transportation.
After the Feb. 6 weekend, Flores discovered that her mother’s car had been keyed, and later realized two promotional magnetic emblems were also stolen from the vehicle’s doors.
She reported the problem to Campus Safety once again.
“We believe this was a totally different incident and that it wasn’t connected to the first incident,” Lentz said.
Flores, frustrated by these consecutive incidents, has chosen to move out of the campus residence halls in order to avoid further problems.
“You can’t have nice things and live in these facilities,” she said. “I’m moving out, whether the incidents be related or not.”
Lentz suggested several precautions to prevent these incidents from happening again. He recommends getting a Club, and installing a reliable alarm system for backup purposes.
“We really do have a safe campus,” said Lentz. “It’s [automobile theft] a crime of opportunity.”
