COUNTYWIDE : Police Urge Caution With Cars, Packages

Lurking among the tinsel trees and holiday decorations bedecking the malls are real-life grinches who may be ready to steal shoppers’ Christmas joys, Orange County police warn.

Police urged extra caution for shoppers who bustle from store to store to avoid becoming a victim of purse snatchings, car break-ins and other crimes that are a routine part of the holiday crush.

The Christmas shopping season began Friday, and authorities say the larger crowds also mean more crimes.

“There’s more opportunity for people to commit crimes during the holiday season because people aren’t careful with their packages,” said Costa Mesa Police Lt. John FitzPatrick. “Be alert and keep your eyes open.”

FitzPatrick said extra police will be assigned to South Coast Plaza during the holiday shopping season.

Police said car break-ins are one of the most common crimes at crowded shopping centers.

They advised that the best way to avoid losing shopping treasures is to place all of the items in the trunk so they will be out of sight.

“We have very few trunk break-ins,” said Santa Ana Police Lt. Robert Helton. “It’s more (often that) the windows are smashed.”

Costa Mesa Police Officer Sue Crouse also said burglars walk from car to car to see what they want. Sometimes, she said, they take the gift with the receipt and return it to the store for cash.

“That’s how they do their Christmas shopping,” she said.

Authorities also suggested that one way to protect Christmas purchases is to store them at a check-in center in the mall.

“I can’t think of a mall that doesn’t have one,” said Dan Martini of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. “They’re kind of like a coat check.”

If shoppers have too many packages for one trip, Crouse suggested moving the car to a new parking spot. Anyone watching a shopper load the car and drive away will believe the shopper has left the mall.

“The crooks don’t want to follow you all over the parking lot,” she said.

The second-biggest holiday problem is purse-snatchings, police said.

“We had a couple of incidents at Fashion Island (last year) where women were walking through the parking lot with their purses draped over their shoulders,” said Newport Beach Police Sgt. Dan Gonis. “Suspects would drive up behind them, grab the purse and drive off.”

Police also warned that men can be pickpocket victims, especially when they leave their wallets or checkbooks hanging out a back pocket.

On the home front, police also urged special precautions during the holidays for thieves on the prowl. Crouse recommended that residents don’t leave Christmas boxes in curbside trash because “you’d be advertising what you got.”

“If you put everything under the tree and get burglarized before Christmas and all your presents are gone, that’s even more devastating,” Crouse said.

‘Tis the Larceny Season

Holiday season larceny in Orange County is a continuing problem, but declined overall last year after reaching a five-year high in 1991. A look at shopping-related thefts during the months of November and December:

Type of theft 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 Pocket-picking 13 28 28 20 16 Purse-snatching 59 90 114 76 83 Shoplifting 2,321 2,415 2,707 2,555 2,365 Theft from vehicles 3,284 3,615 3,797 4,187 4,254 Total 5,677 6,148 6,646 6,838 6,718

Foiling Holiday Crime

During the season of giving, be aware there are plenty of thieves eager to take. Tips for safety during the holidays:

WHILE SHOPPING:

* Drape purse diagonally over the body instead of hanging it from the shoulder.

* Don’t carry large amounts of cash. Use credit cards and checks.

* If someone tries to rob you, don’t fight.

* Park somewhere else if you see a suspicious person where you want to stop.

* While people are watching, don’t try to hide packages or purse in your trunk.

* Before you leave to shop, conceal valuables in your trunk.

* Take a friend shopping, or ask a security guard to accompany you to your car.

* Have car keys in your hand before you get to parking lot.

* Don’t make change for strangers.

* Be aware when you are finished; some thieves follow shoppers home. If you suspect you are being tailed, drive to a police station.

AT HOME:

* Don’t leave all the presents under the tree before Christmas, keep some in a closet.

* Put away your cash and jewelry during Christmas parties.

* Beware of false charity drives. Mail charity checks yourself and always fill in the name of the charity.

Sources: California Department of Justice, Bureau of Criminal Statistics, various Orange County police agencies

Researched by APRIL JACKSON / Los Angeles Times