Thief broke into cars while surfers were in the ocean, cops say
Kevin Lucas, 18, of Inglewood was arrested this week after allegedly burglarizing dozens of cars throughout Southern California, including more than 30 belonging to surfers in Manhattan Beach, police said.
Beginning in January 2016, Lucas broke into approximately 35 vehicles parked near the ocean in the city, according to a statement from the Manhattan Beach Police Department. Lucas allegedly took wallets and cell phones and used victims’ credit cards to make purchases at Targets.
The police department statement refers to multiple suspects being involved in the robberies. MBPD spokesperson Sgt. Tim Zins had not returned a call by press time seeking clarification.
The Manhattan break-ins were part of a string of thefts throughout coastal Southern California, including in Ventura, Orange, and San Diego counties. According to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, Lucas is facing more than 60 charges, almost all of them felony-level identity theft and grand theft.
Earlier this month, MBPD officers served a search warrant at an Inglewood residence linked to Lucas. Although Lucas was not found during the search, officers did discover allegedly stolen cell phones, identification cards, and credit cards.
Lucas was ultimately arrested Monday by the San Diego Regional Fugitive Task Force, according to the San Diego County Jail’s inmate information center. He was being held at the Vista Detention Center in lieu of $900,000 bail and was due in San Diego County court Wednesday morning.
Because surfers are away from their cars, beach parking lots make attractive targets for thieves. Surfers commonly leave their car keys behind when heading out for a session, often placing them on top of a rear wheel.
Thieves have picked up on the practice over the years, but surfers are starting to battle back. Last year, a woman surfing at C Street in Ventura spied someone breaking into her car. She and a friend paddled in and restrained the burglar until police arrived. “Surfer Magazine” published a list of suggestions on how to avoid car burglaries. Wetsuit makers have started to offer car key strings and pockets.