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South Pasadena police report steady August crime rates, highlight regional vehicle-theft trend
Summary
Deputy Chief Merrill Leighton reported downtrending crime counts for August overall but flagged an emerging regional pattern of high-value vehicle thefts and continued thefts of Hyundai/Kia models linked to known security exploits; department noted a recent local homicide under LA County Sheriff's investigation.
Deputy Chief Merrill Leighton presented the department’s August crime statistics to the Public Safety Commission and highlighted two trends: an overall decline in several crime categories and a rise in organized, high‑value vehicle thefts driven by regional networks.
“We had 2 notable vehicle thefts,” Leighton said. He described a theft of a Rolls‑Royce valued at about $250,000 that was contracted to a car‑carrier company and intercepted by a fraudulent carrier, and a second theft of a high‑end Mercedes “well over $100,000.” Leighton said the vehicles are often moved to locations where transponders cannot transmit, and that the department is working these cases with a regional Task Force for Regional Auto Theft.
Leighton also noted a regional pattern affecting Hyundai and Kia vehicles caused by “security glitches which have been well publicized.” He said manufacturers are working on software and hardware fixes and the department hopes the remedy will reduce the numbers of those thefts.
Department figures: Leighton reported that arrests in August increased “about 23%,” from 31 to 38, and that calls for service were down (transcript: “down by about 3 43” — department clarification requested). He said assaults remain consistent but year‑to‑date assault counts are lower than the prior year. Regarding the city’s recent homicide, Leighton said the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau is leading the investigation and that South Pasadena’s chief remains in regular contact with the sheriff’s investigators.
Commissioners asked for clarity on reporting conventions. Leighton explained the department’s raw counts are report-generated incident reports (not prosecutions or conviction counts) and noted that statewide reporting systems are changing (from the Uniform Crime Report to NIBRS), which will change how multiple offenses from a single incident are tallied.
Technology and prevention: Leighton credited “flock cameras” (automated license-plate and camera systems) with aiding recoveries and said those systems help detect stolen vehicles that enter the city. He also recommended simple anti-theft measures for owners of vulnerable models — “the old fashioned tools” — and said the department distributes prevention advice through neighborhood-watch meetings and outreach.
Ending: Commissioners requested additional detail on spatial and temporal patterns (garage vs. street, day vs. night) so staff can target prevention efforts; Deputy Chief Leighton agreed to provide follow-up data and to continue coordination with regional auto-theft task forces.
