149 VEHICLE & TAG THEFTS

POLICY 149.0VEHICLE THEFTS (Tags, Teletype Entries, Holds and VIN) REVISED: 11/2011 RELATED POLICIES: Reviewed by Chief David Magnusson 4/2019 A.POLICY It is the Policy of the El Portal Police Department to investigate the theft of all vehicles stolen from within the Village of El Portal as well as to recover all stolen vehicles found within our jurisdiction. In addition, it is Department Policy to take reports of stolen license tags, which have been stolen from within our jurisdiction or from our residents when the location of the theft is unknown. To provide guidelines for this purpose, the following procedures are established. B.REPORTS 1.The following offense headings shall be used to title vehicle theft reports as appropriate: a.GRAND THEFT AUTO b.Viable re-contact information is especially important in Auto Theft cases because speedy notification about stolen vehicle recoveries is mandated. For tourist victim’s cases, all permanent and visited locations should be listed with contact information for each. c.In addition to viewing the crime scene and attempting to locate witnesses, reporting officers should drive through the general area; the vehicle may be abandoned or hidden nearby. 2.In cases where the victim cannot supply a tag or vehicle identification number (V.I.N.) of the stolen vehicle, the investigating officer shall notify their supervisor, and prior to the end of their shift, a copy of the report must be sent to the Chief of Police or his/her designee for immediate follow up. Members are reminded to include all contact telephone numbers and addresses so an investigator can obtain the information and enter the proper tag and vehicle identification number (V.I.N.) into NCIC/FCIC for the safety of Department members. C.RECOVERED STOLEN VEHICLES STOLEN FROM EL PORTAL 1.The member recovering a vehicle originally reported stolen to the El Portal Police Department will supplement the original report; a new report is not needed. The following shall be included in the supplement: Page 1 of 6 a.Condition of vehicle (i.e., ignition removed, wheels missing, radio removed, battery missing, etc.); b.Indicate drivability of vehicle; c.Inventory the contents of the vehicle. 2.The member recovering the vehicle will make notification to the owner and indicate in the supplement: the notification; who was notified; and when the notification was made. 3.Immediate notification is required. Therefore, if the member recovering the vehicle cannot contact the owner during the shift, this non-notification will be indicated in the supplement. 4.When notification cannot be made, the member recovering the vehicle will indicate in the supplement why it could not be done. The officer shall indicate on the Police report “Refer to Detective Bureau.” 5.The vehicle may be released on the scene if the owner is present and: a.The vehicle is in a safe and legal operating condition. b.If the vehicle is not in a safe and legal operating condition, the officer may allow the owner to have the vehicle towed. 6.If not released to the owner, the vehicle shall be towed. 7.If an arrest is made, the officer shall notify the shift supervisor while the prisoner is still in our custody. The supervisor will determine if a detective should be called out or other follow-up action taken. 8.The member recovering the stolen vehicle shall contact Communications and have the teletype message canceled. The name of the Communications employee taking the cancellation shall be noted in the appropriate section of the Police Report. 9.If the vehicle is recovered by another Agency, Communications via teletype will make immediate notification and have an officer complete a vehicle supplement report indicating who was notified. If notification could not be made, the officer shall indicate in the supplement why it could not be done. 10.Incomplete reports or supplements will be returned to the original reporting officer for completion or correction. D.RECOVERED STOLEN VEHICLES STOLEN FROM OTHER JURISDICTIONS 1.Officer making the recovery will originate an OR under the heading FOREIGN STOLEN RECOVERY, the officer shall cause a teletype message to be sent, Page 2 of 6 advising the reporting agency of the recovery, where the vehicle will be, and the condition of the vehicle. 2.If an arrest is made, follow the same procedures as our own recovery. Also, advise the reporting agency of the arrest. 3.The recovered vehicle will be towed with no holds unless advised differently by the reporting agency. E.STOLEN/LOST VEHICLE TAGS 1.Stolen Vehicle Tag Reports: a.Check NCIC/FCIC to determine if the vehicle tag is already reported stolen or wanted for another criminal offense. b.If it can be determined that the vehicle tag has been stolen and not simply missing, a THEFT of TAG report shall be prepared. c.The reporting officer will call Communications and have a teletype entry made for the stolen tag. The name of the Communications employee taking the information shall be written in the appropriate location of the Larceny Auto Tag report. 2.Lost Vehicle Tag Reports: a.Check NCIC/FCIC to determine if the vehicle tag is already reported stolen or wanted for another criminal offense. b.If the vehicle tag owner reports that the tag is simply missing and cannot specifically say that the auto tag is stolen, a Lost Tag report will be prepared. c.If the vehicle tag owner is a Village resident, and cannot specifically state when, where and under what circumstances the vehicle tag was lost, a Lost Tag report will be prepared.