Free steering locks to be offered to owners of most-stolen cars in Stanislaus

As part of a campaign to raise awareness of auto theft and to prevent the crime, the Stanislaus County Auto Theft Task Force will give anti-theft steering wheel locking devices to owners of the top 10 most-stolen cars in the county.

Those vehicles are:

▪ 1990 to 1997 Honda Accord

▪ 1990 to 2000 Honda Civic

▪ 1994 to 1997 Nissan Sentra

▪ 1994 to 1997 Acura Integra

▪ 1989 to 1991 Toyota Camry

▪ 2001 to 2005 Chevrolet Silverado

▪ 1993 to 1995 Saturn SL

▪ 1991 to 1995 Nissan Pathfinder

▪ 1996 to 2005 Nissan Altima

▪ 2006 Ford F-250

The free steering wheel locks will be offered at the Modesto area California Highway Patrol office, 4030 Kiernan Ave., on Tuesday from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Recipients must live in the county and have one of the most-stolen vehicles, which must be registered in the county.

Locks also will be available, while supplies last, on or after Tuesday at all participating law enforcement agencies throughout Stanislaus County, according to a CHP news release. StanCATT was able to purchase the anti-theft devices with funding assistance from the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

StanCATT, a team of investigators composed of various law enforcement agencies within Stanislaus County, urges a common-sense approach to protection as the simplest, most cost-effective way to deter thieves. Secure your vehicle even if parking for a brief period. Always remove your keys from the ignition, lock your doors and roll up your windows, and park in well-lighted areas.

Law enforcement agencies participating in StanCATT and the lock giveaway are the CHP; California State University Police, 1 University Circle, Turlock; Ceres Police Department, 2727 Third St.; Hughson Police Services, 7018 Pine St.; Modesto Police Department, 600 10th St.; Newman Police Department, 1200 Main St.; Oakdale Police Department, 245 N. Second St.; Patterson Police Services, 33 S. Del Puerto Ave.; Riverbank Police Services, 6727 Third St.; Stanislaus County Sheriff”s Department, 250 E. Hackett Road; Waterford Police Services, 312 E St.; and Turlock Police Department, 244 N. Broadway.

This story was originally published August 20, 2015 at 1:32 PM with the headline "Free steering locks to be offered to owners of most-stolen cars in Stanislaus."