Rash of car-part thefts strikes city

GLENDALE — Since April, more than 40 sets of passenger-side and driver-side mirrors have been reported stolen from Mercedes and sport utility vehicles.

In October alone, more than a dozen such thefts have been reported, mostly from residents on Roselawn Avenue, Glenoaks Boulevard, Viscano Drive and Valley View, Greenbriar and Philips roads, according to police reports. Mercedes E32 models are among the most affected, according to reports.

“When you start noticing trends like that happening on particular items, it’s because there’s a market out there for it,” Glendale Police Officer John Balian said. “Somewhere, someone is requesting these things, then you have a crew of burglars going out there and taking these items from vehicles.”

A new pair of mirrors from the Mercedes dealership costs about $1,500, and they seem to be easily removed, said Sgt. Bob Zahreddine in the Glendale Police Department’s burglary and auto theft detail.

Police are uncertain where the merchandise is being sold, he said.

“We’re not sure whether they’re being sold on Internet auction places, if they’re sold at one of the open auto parts stores, or at some body shops — it really could be anywhere,” he said.

The vehicle burglary detail has advised patrol officers of the trend and is conducting active investigations, Zahreddine said.

“We’re chasing down some witnesses and neighbors, going out and checking in to body shops and auto parts stores,” he said. “[We’re] talking to other departments and liaisons to see if they have anybody ID’d or any descriptions, looking for video surveillance on streets that might have captured the theft.”