Property crime jumped 9% in Fountain Valley in 2017; violent crime rose slightly

Reports of violent and property crimes increased by about 9% in Fountain Valley in 2017 compared with the year before, with a rise in thefts leading the way, according to data compiled by the Police Department.

The incidents covered in the data are defined by the FBI as “Part 1” crimes. The vast majority of those cases last year in Fountain Valley, which has a population of 56,529, were, as is typical, property crimes, which include burglary, theft, auto theft and arson. Reports of those crimes swelled by 9%, caused mostly by an increase in thefts, data show.

There were 1,204 thefts (an increase of 133 compared with 2016), 144 auto thefts (19 more than in 2016) and 134 commercial burglaries (up 16).

Residential burglaries declined to 98 (31 fewer than in 2016). There were three reports of arson, compared with four the previous year.

Violent crimes — homicide, rape, robbery and assault likely to cause serious injury — rose by about 1.5% last year.

There were two reports of rape, compared with none in 2016, and 27 robberies (an increase of five).

The 36 aggravated assaults reported were six fewer than in 2016.

The city had no homicides in 2017 or 2016, according to the department. It had one in 2015.

Fountain Valley Police Chief Kevin Childe could not be reached for comment about the data Friday.

Nearby Huntington Beach saw a decline in property crime last year but a 28% rise in violent crime.

Part 1 crimes declined last year in Newport Beach, Laguna Beach and Costa Mesa.

hannah.fry@latimes.com

Twitter: @HannahFryTCN