Surfers warned about burglaries in Huntington Beach
January 7th, 2011, 9:44 am · · posted by Laylan Connelly, staff writer
Surfers are being warned not to leave their car keys hidden on their vehicles while they paddle out after a string of burglaries in the Huntington Beach area.
It’s not uncommon for surfers to lock their cars and stash their keys in a secret spot while they hit the water. Apparently someone knows all the right places to look and has been ripping people off. It looks like the same person, based on images of him using stolen cards at gas stations. He’s described as a white male, 35-45, about 5 feet, 10 inches tall, 180 pounds, with a long, gray-blond goatee.
The same thing was happening a few months back at the Blackies parking lot in Newport Beach, where surfers were coming out of the water to see that their personal property had been stolen.
Here are a few of the reports from the Huntington Beach Police Department:
Oct. 28: Victim parked and locked his vehicle at 19th Street and Pacific Coast Highway to go surfing. The victim left his keys under the grill of his car. When victim returned from surfing, he noticed his wallet and watch were missing. Later, the pictured man is seen using the victim’s stolen credit card at Vons in Garden Grove.
Nov. 30: The victim parked his vehicle at 22nd Street and PCH and went surfing. When he returned to his vehicle, his keys were in the same place but his wallet and contents were stolen. Later that day, the male and female pictured used the stolen credit cards at Ralphs in Fountain Valley and Albertsons in Huntington Beach.
Dec. 5: The victim parked and locked his vehicle in the parking lot of Dog Beach off Pacific Coast Highway and Goldenwest Street. When he returned, his vehicle was gone. The vehicle was later found in the area of Walnut Avenue and 22nd Street. The victim’s wallet, ring, camera and iPod were missing. A witness in the area saw a man park the stolen vehicle, take property and enter a gray late-model Chrysler van. The pictured man attempted to use the stolen credit card at Target in Westminster, but the transaction was declined.
Here are some photos provided by the Huntington Beach Police Department. The images are a bit hard to see, but if you can make out this guy or the girl in the images, contact Detective Mauger at 714-374-1601 or e-mail at JMauger@hbpd.org.
*Updated alternate contact info: HBPDinfo@hbpd.org or 714-960-8811
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BEACHAPEDIA – your guide to the coast
Local surfers recognized
Solution:
I have a lock box for my car key (the kind you see at Open Houses). It can be locked/attached to tow loops, or permanent racks. No need to worry!
He robbed my truck at the cliffs and took all of our wallets i pods phones and cash.We have a nice crew hunting him down.He better pray the cops get him before I do.I am going to pound that douchy 909er!
don’t advertise what you have
this guy and girl are in for a real beat down now that us surfers have a picture of him, of course thats only if he resists holding him until the proper authorities arrive.
I hereby name these two “Beardy-Baldy Bro & his Bro Ho Bandits”
what a bunch of idiots there is a spot inside your wet suit for your car key. are these guys from the 909
I don’t surf much anymore, but for a while, I hid my keys instead of using the key spot in my wetsuit. But with so much identity theft now, I figured I’ll take the extra 60 seconds it takes to the the key off my key ring and put it in my wetsuit and lock my glove compartment. Its just too much work to deal with identity theft and replace everything in my wallet.
But, 10 years ago things were different. Its too bad I can’t just stash my keys on top of my rear wheel anymore.
well smarty pants most of us now have the kind of electronic key fob that doesnt like to get wet, baggies dont always work so I dont like to take my key fob( VW, cannot be detached from fob) out w me in water…the lock box looks like the thing! hope some big surfers catch this guy and give him an asswhuppin
Anthony – I’d hate to see what would happen to my keyless remote if I left it inside my wetsuit.
I never leave a key hidden on the vehicle, and I’ve never had a problem with any of my stuff being bothered on the beach in HB. We all watch out for each other and it’s kind of obvious when someone walks around near our stuff, especially during this time of year.
Hey Anthony, victims of crimes are not all idotts. My fiancee was the Nov. 30th victim mentioned above. His wetsuit key pocket is ripped so he couldn’t store his key there while surfing. You sound like a pompus jerk stating that these surfers who were ripped off are idotts and must be from the 909, we’re locals!
Looks like someone got Bro-glerized!
This story really @#$%^& me off. Aside from the fact that stealing from anyone is wrong and a crime, there is an unwritten code among surfers… you don’t steal from each other. This guy is obviously not a surfer and has no morals at all. I hope they catch him and lock him up for a long time! Get Him HBPD!!!!
a code amongst surfers?
I steal waves from surfers all day long, bra.
then it’s just a matter of time before you drop in on the wrong cat and then get beat down like the punk you are… no need for kooks like you
Not for long you won’t. Ever had your board snapped? You’re on your way to a pricey lesson squid.
If he’s not a surfer, then he didn’t break the code!
More accurate information on contacting the police department regarding these suspects is available at http://www.facebook.com/HuntingtonBeachPolice
Thanks for the update.
See they look like scum, thats why they burglarize in HB. It’s easy, almost everyone looks like White Trash
I work at a locksmith in Southern California. We sell hitch safes (combination lock) for vehicles that many surfers purchase. Fits all vehicles with 2″ receiver.
Your so right Manuel!, Hitch safes ARE AWESOME!!!
Also, only children drop in on others!!
This has been going on since surfing started. In the 70′s we used to stash our keys on the top of one of the tires. There was more honor and less illegals then.
What a couple of classless idiots. Worst part is, they most likely live right here in HB. My Husband and I run PCH pretty frequently and always stash our keys. I will most def be watching out for these two!
“Dude, like, don’t rip me off, ma-yan. Like, totally not diggity-dank, bro.”
that was stupid.
I had my surfboard racks stolen while I was surfing at Luguna and I’m still mad as hell about it.
That was in 1968!
Goatee looks fake.
These loosers are going down fast now these photos are out.
With many modern electronic keys, putting them in a wetsuit is a bad idea. Just imagine what a replacement key costs… after getting a locksmith to unlock your car.
Most cars with the “modern electronic key” also come with a valet key that will at least open the door. Use the valet key. Don’t bother working the key off the key ring either. Use the valet key. All wetsuits now have a key pocket.
the chick is kinda hot. i’d hit that
Stick to what you know best. Your bookmarked “self love” sites.
Hi Folks,
Considering getting and using an Aquapac case like the Keymaster: http://www.aquapac.net/usstore/keymaster-br-604-1651-0.html
Stashing your key on your car is asking for trouble. You’re lucky if you’ve gotten away with doing that so far.
Al
Yes the aquapac works great – I have an electronic key and used to always stress out about where to hide the key on the beach! Went out this weekend with the aquapac holding my key in the wetsuit and all is good!
Nothing new, I had my pals car broken into and my wallet stolen 35 years ago in New Port, so why is this news other then some tweeker hitting the area
First, it’s “Newport”. Second, it’s news because that is what it is. They have reported information to us so that we may be better informed of events going on in the area. And finally; Why did you have your pal’s car broken into? Just to have your own wallet stolen? Lame.
These kooks are doing this in Huntington??? Yeah, not for long. The crowd at Blackies is pretty mellow and tame but HB surfers can be ruthless. They protect their turf. These two are going to get pounded. There will be a stop at the hospital prior to booking.
Exactly! Its a matter of time before justice will be served if they keep it up in HB.
he robbed my car and took 2 phones and 2 wallets. happend at 68th st
Figures he’d have a Hurley hat on. What a fag! I bet he puffs on peters for breakfast.
SOLUTION -
DONT DRIVE TO THE BEACH!
somebody has got to know that guy, that goatee is a dead giveaway!
That guy on the top is Mike Frank he lives in Yorba Linda
I suppose surfers are going to have to equip lock boxes on their vehicles now like the ones they have for homes.
And if there is any truth to the latest post by Anonymouse I’d be interested in hearing about the outcome.