Thieves in SoCal targeting semi-trucks for costly computer components

Authorities in the Inland Empire are warning truck drivers about a increase in thefts from semi-vehicles, stating burglars are focusing on high-priced pc factors that assistance the vehicles run. 

The rather new crime pattern, in accordance to law enforcement, has been costing victims thousands of pounds, not just in replacing the element, but in the business enterprise missing whilst their vans are inoperable.  

“I’ve listened to about them currently being stolen, but you know, like almost everything, you consider it is not heading to occur to you,” Mike Bledsoe, the proprietor of Specialist Web-site Methods, told KTLA’s Shelby Nelson.  

Surveillance movie captured the moments a thief smashed the window of Bledsoe’s semi-truck, pulled out a drill and in less than two minutes, stole the popular powertrain controller, which sends communications among the motor and other elements of the automobile.  

Devoid of the prevalent powertrain controller, or CPC, the truck just cannot work. 

“He hit four trucks in significantly less than 30 minutes,” Bledsoe said. “I just really don’t consider they realize the predicament it set me in, you know. With inflation, all our charges are by way of the roof.”  

The theft charge Bledsoe’s trucking and machines rental organization in Riverside all over $16,000 in components and labor, and other charges like the truck’s broken window.  

The break-in happened all-around 1 a.m. previous Tuesday. Bledsoe acquired a ping on his cell phone from the alarm, but by the time he and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Division arrived, the crooks ended up currently long gone.  

“Since November, we have experienced about 40 stories taken for the for the CPC thefts in this article, just in our county,” San Bernardino County Spokesperson Gloria Huerta explained to KTLA.  

The criminal offense development has been hitting truckers up and down the point out.  

“Because there is a world wide shortage of that microchip, it can make it pretty lucrative and extremely well-liked and extremely attractive on the black current market,” Huerta described.  

Huerta included that the pieces can retail for as much as $1,600, but on the black sector, intruders are providing them for double that price or even more and persons are buying them.  

“Because there’s a worldwide shortage, there’s a big backlog of that microchip and folks are possibly desperate to get to work, so they’re prepared to spend that funds to get that chip in their semis,” she reported.  

Ontario Law enforcement Department Sgt. Melissa Ramirez explained that some of the CPCs are removable and can be taken out of the truck.  

“So, if they can do that, we recommend them to acquire it out with them. Park in a properly-lit area. If you are the owner, put in video clip surveillance,” Ramirez added.  

As for Bledsoe, he mentioned that for the time getting, he’s parking his vans somewhere else.  

Though the areas do have serial quantities, legislation enforcement officials say the only way to trace them back is by the company. At the time burglars get their palms on the pieces, they can have the CPCs reprogrammed, which usually means the part doesn’t go back to the company for reprogramming.