South Gate : Officer Honored for Work in Recovering Stolen Cars
Officer Michael Flanagan of the South Gate Police Department has received the California Highway Patrol’s distinquished “10851” award, which recognizes officers for recovering stolen automobiles and arresting suspects.
Flanagan recovered at least 12 stolen vehicles and arrested three suspected car thieves during 1989. Flanagan was recently presented a “10851” pin and a plaque by the Automobile Club of Southern California, a program sponsor. Police officers arrest suspects for stealing vehicles under the California Vehicle Code 10851.
Flanagan, 34, has been with the 91-officer South Gate department for 12 years, working asa patrolman, traffic officer and investigator of stolen autos.
Like many areas in the state, South Gate has a big problem with auto thefts, Capt. George B. Troxcil said. A department goal is to reduce the number of such thefts in the city this year, Troxcil said.
In 1989, there were 1,356 vehicles stolen, or 17.12 thefts per 1,000 residents, according to the South Gate police.
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