Canyon Lake Police responds to rash of items stolen from cars

BY Ariana Shah

Staged file photo

City residents throughout the community are reporting thefts from their vehicles, but City of Canyon Lake Police are finding it difficult to substantiate the cause of loss because the vehicles in question have been unlocked.

According to Sergeant Lionel Murphy from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, many of the vehicles were not broken into.

“The vehicles in each incident were left unlocked and theft occurred,” Sergeant Murphy said. “A connection between the thefts can be assumed, however, not substantiated, due to a lack of evidence connecting them to one another. Do know that each incident has been investigated.”

Sergeant Murphy reminds residents of Canyon Lake of the importance of locking their cars.

“It is vital to remind the citizens to lock their vehicles as the crime of theft is a crime of opportunity,” he said. “The less opportunity there is, the less likely a theft will occur.”

Many Canyon Lakers shared on Facebook their experiences of getting robbed within their neighborhood.

Tina Rogers, who lives on Long Point, was one of the theft victims. She said the theft occurred on Jan. 26, at 3:56 a.m.

“I lost a Canon camera and a pair of Apple air pods totaling approximately $1,000,” Tina said. “I always make sure to lock my car, but this one time I forgot to. I was told to report to the police when I called the POA about this. I am thoroughly disappointed by the POA and the security company’s lack of concern for this matter. Having security within the community should make us feel a little safer, but in reality, it has just given us a false sense of security.”

Gina Madison Millspaugh, a Canyon Lake resident who lives on Pin Tail Drive, said the theft from her car occurred on Jan. 27 during the night.

“I accidentally left my car unlocked, and in the morning, I noticed my belongings were missing,” Gina said. “I called the POA, and they just told me to call the police and make a report. That was the only time I spoke to the POA. They didn’t come to the house or call me back to check in about this. The thieves stole my figure skates, ice skates and my gym bag, along with all the other stuff in it. I did make a police report. The police stopped by and took the information down. They were very helpful.”

Anyone who has experienced similar thefts inside the community or has any information about a possible suspect should report the information to the City of Canyon Lake Police Department.