Here is an article I came across in the Daily Bulletin. A fake SW has been setting mongers up for a carjacking. Be careful out there.

Carjackings may point toward trend
By Jannise Johnson, Staff Writer



POMONA - Two carjackings occurred within several hours of each other Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, which may be a sign thieves are increasingly turning to carjacking, police said.
Pomona police on an undercover operation in the area of Holt Avenue and St. Paul Street saw two men attempting to take a third man's vehicle after punching him at 5:09 p.m., according to a police statement.

The officers saw a would-be victim drive into the area with a woman in his car. His passenger was later identified as Valerie Delara, 41, of Hesperia, the statement said.

After the man stopped his vehicle, two men forced open the doors, worked their way inside and began striking the driver, the statement said.

Officers responded and took Delara and the two men Edward Williams, 41, of Pomona, and David Cesarez, 28, of Chino Hills into custody.

Police later discovered Delara knew the two men and was posing as a prostitute. Once a man picked her up, she would direct him to a secluded area where Cesarez and Williams would rob and carjack him, the police statement said.

So far, police have not run into any similar scams being run in that area.

"We're familiar with that type of of activity, but we're not aware of any pattern," said Pomona police Sgt. Rob Baker.

The second incident occurred at 2:47 a.m. Wednesday, said a statement from Pomona police Cpl. Michael Neaderbaomer.

During this second, and unrelated incident, Pomona officers responded to a call of a carjacking in the parking lot of Winco Foods at 90 Rio Rancho Road, the statement said.

A man, whose name was withheld for his safety, reported that another man stole his 2000 Chevrolet Suburban at gunpoint while his wife and three children (ages 3, 5 and 9) were still inside.

As officers were searching for the vehicle, police received a separate call from the victim's wife who reported that the carjacker abandoned her and the children inside the SUV at Garey Avenue and the 10 Freeway. All four were unharmed.

Police would like anyone who witnessed the incident involving the silver SUV with paper plates to call the Pomona Police Department at (909) 620-2155.

The suspect is described as black, between 28 and 35 years old, 5 feet 7 inches tall, with a thin build. His hair is long and curly with long sideburns. He was last seen wearing light colored gloves, a light gray beanie hat, a black sweater and jeans.

Police don't have hard statistics, but carjackings may be on the rise because of more sophisticated anti-theft technology, said Pomona police Sgt. Rick Baker.

"For some elements of the auto theft world, it's preferable to steal the car from the person," he said.

That way, the thief has the keys in hand and does not have to work to bypass the alarm system, he said.

Rick Baker advises people to be alert to their surroundings, both when driving and entering and exiting their vehicles.

Keep the doors locked at all times and have your keys ready before you approach your car, he said.

Don't park in dark, secluded areas where other people can't see you and where a potential carjacker may find a place to hide. Also, when you're stopped at an intersection, leave space between your car and the vehicle in front of you in case you need to get away quickly.


Jannise Johnson can be reached by phone at (909) 483-9318.