Student's truck stolen from Mainiero lot
Campus Times
December 12, 1997
A University of La Verne student returned from an outing with friends
to find his black 1989 Chevy S10 Blazer stolen Sunday morning from the Mainiero
parking lot, between 1:30 and 10:30 a.m.
Sophomore Jim Brooks came back to his Brandt dorm room around 1:30 a.m.
where he parked the vehicle and planned to drive his friend home later that
morning. To his dismay, his automobile was missing when they awoke, although
it was recovered by police late Wednesday night, the stereo system had been
stolen.
After realizing his Blazer had been stolen, Brooks "freaked out"
and contacted his Resident Assistant (R.A.) Rick Garcia, who then attempted
to contact Campus Safety by telephone, but later discovered that technical
problems with his telephone prevented him from doing so. Brooks and Garcia
then walked over to Campus Safety's office, although they said theycould
not locate an officer.
John Lentz, director of Campus Safety, said, "Campus Safety is
available 24 hours and if #6666 is dialed, it directly rings the radio of
the officer on duty."
"One of the security officers said that he was around the parking
lot all night, the night my car was stolen, but I don't believe that,"
said Brooks.
The next step Brooks took was filing a report with the La Verne Police
Department. According to Brooks, the police officer told him that his vehicle
should be recovered within one to two days, and that there are only approximately
three to four vehicles a year stolen in La Verne each year.
Campus Safety's response to the vehicle theft is to "keep a better
eye on the parking lots and to be more vigilant," said Lentz.
"Anything you can do as far as deterring possible auto theft is
to purchase a club, an alarm or make sure you have a pull out stereo,"
said Lentz.
