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San Bernardino Sheriff Probes Tow-Truck Thefts Across Southern California

Deputies elevated the case after a viral New Year's Eve video drew more victims forward.

Overview

  • Security video shows a white unmarked tow truck taking a 2024 Toyota Tacoma from a San Bernardino driveway around 1:34 a.m. on New Year's Eve, with the vehicle's tracker later found disabled.
  • The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department confirms multiple reports and says active investigations are underway in the county in coordination with other Southern California agencies.
  • Officials told the Los Angeles Times the probe has been moved to a specialized division and that similar thefts have been reported in neighboring counties.
  • After the footage spread on social media, the victim said at least a dozen people reported comparable thefts across area communities.
  • In a separate case described to the Times, a stolen car was located via license plate reader hits and recovered in Compton stripped for parts.