Theft of Vehicle License Plates and Registration Tags

WHAT: News Conference

WHERE: Rampart Detective Division 303 South Union Street Los Angeles

WHEN: Friday, June 18, 2004 10:00 a.m.

Los Angeles: Beginning in January 2004, Rampart Area’s community has been inundated with the theft of vehicle rear license plates and registration tags. The investigation has revealed that the suspect(s) remove the rear license plates and registration tags from parked vehicles. The tags are then illegally sold to people with unregistered vehicles.

The public is warned not to purchase illegal registration tags. If stopped by police with illegal tags, the vehicle will be impounded for further investigation. Registered owners of the vehicle have to pay towing, impound, and storage fees. The vehicles will not be released until properly registered. The vehicle owner and/or driver can also be arrested and face up to three years in state prison for defrauding the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or Receiving Stolen Property (RSP).

The Los Angeles Police Department is seeking assistance from the media and the community in order to eradicate this crime.

Any questions or information contact Rampart Detective’s Property Crimes Coordinator Detective J. Sheriff, at 213-207-2011.

This news advisory was prepared by Public Information Volunteer Kyle Marks, Media Relations Section, at 213-485-3586.