Driver Killed in Chatsworth Carjacking : Tips on How to Avoid a Carjacking
Police estimate that 8% of the 74,829 auto thefts in the city of Los Angeles last year, including 22,376 in the San Fernando Valley, were carjackings. Detective Wayne Newton, who heads up robbery investigations in the Devonshire Division, gives these tips on how to avoid a carjacking:
Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
Be a good witness. Pay attention to the suspect, noting the type of weapon they have and any distinguishing characteristics.
Don’t stop. If you think that somebody is following you, drive to the nearest police station, fire station or crowded parking lot and start blowing your horn. Don’t drive into a garage, cul-de-sac or down dark street.
Don’t resist. If confronted by a person with a gun, don’t resist. Get out of the car and back away.
It’s easier to avoid a problem then to try to get out of it.
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