Lock Your Cars, Deputies Say

Members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Lomita Station spent Thursday evening patrolling the Soleado neighborhood in Rancho Palos Verdes, searching for vehicles that could be targets for thieves.

As part of Operation Lock It Up, seven deputies, eight explorer scouts, and eight Sheriff's Volunteers on Patrol tried door handles and looked in car windows to find unsecured vehicles and valuables left in plain view, according to a news release from the sheriff's department.

Deputies placed fliers on the vehicles that were unlocked or had items out, as well as contacted residents to know that their cars were targets for a theft or "smash-and-grab"-style burglary, authorities said.

"There have been several thefts from unlocked vehicles throughout the Peninsula, and this is part of Lomita Station's ongoing effort to communicate with, engage and educate our partners in the local community to help the public protect themselves from thieves," according to the news release. "Small things like locking car doors or hiding valuables, electronics and even car chargers from plain sight can prevent you from becoming a victim.