Thieves targeting Toyota Tacoma trucks as tailgate thefts spike

[WOADKIL]

COSTA MESA, Calif. (KABC) -- Costa Mesa Auto Body and Paint is ready to help drivers fix all kinds of issues with their vehicles.

Recently, owner Jay Herrera said they've had to replace truck owners' missing tailgates.

"They're very desirable because they're so easy to take off," he said. "[Customers] come in with no tailgate and they're like 'Tailgate's gone. I was asleep, came out, gone.' Or even just as easy as 'I went to pick up some material for work, I came out and tailgate was gone.'"

As to why tailgates are targeted, Herrera suspects thieves are making money off its parts.

"It's not just the tailgate that they take. It's cameras, door handles, with the newer Chevys and F-150s, they have what's called an assistance step so when you open the tailgate a step comes out so you can hop into the back of the truck," Herrera said.


Tacoma Tailgate thefts

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[Dr_Strangelove]

Gosh and who would need to buy a new tailgate in town? It will take them 3 years but eventually they'll trace this back to the wreckers reselling the tailgates. Just like the catalytic converter theft rings.

I'm not pointing the finger at the gentleman quoted in the article but he knows exactly why the tailgates are being taken. To say "Oh, there's a camera in there" is malarkey.

 

[WOADKIL]

At least my Ranger has a locking tailgate!

 

[Joeiconic]

Gosh and who would need to buy a new tailgate in town? It will take them 3 years but eventually they'll trace this back to the wreckers reselling the tailgates. Just like the catalytic converter theft rings.

I'm not pointing the finger at the gentleman quoted in the article but he knows exactly why the tailgates are being taken. To say "Oh, there's a camera in there" is malarkey.

They‘re probably selling it as scrap metal.

 

[MountainGoat]

Gosh and who would need to buy a new tailgate in town? It will take them 3 years but eventually they'll trace this back to the wreckers reselling the tailgates. Just like the catalytic converter theft rings.

I'm not pointing the finger at the gentleman quoted in the article but he knows exactly why the tailgates are being taken. To say "Oh, there's a camera in there" is malarkey.

All it would take to bring these guys down is one guy willing to put one of these inside the tailgate, park in a bad area...and wait.

 

[WOADKIL]

That or an Apple Airtag!

 

[Grumpaw]

They‘re probably selling it as scrap metal.

No....they steal the whole truck, re-sell the tailgate, and scrap the rest of the truck.
Either that, or, the tailgate is the only thing worth stealing !!!

 

[Mustang2Ranger]

Similar to the seats they steal out of Tahoes

They break in, steal your third seat, then it ends up on marketplace or craigslist and someone else that got theirs stolen buys it because they still need it for their kids, etc. Apparently was a desirable option

 

[moorejl57]

I assume they steal them for the damper.

 

[Fazzie01]

Thieves are the worst. Out there taking OTHER people's property instead of getting a real job. Bugs me to no end. Punishment should be much swifter and more severe than it is now. Otherwise we just encourage this behavior.

 

[AzScorpion]

I assume they steal them for the damper.

It's the only good part they have on their trucks! ? All the rest is scrap metal.

 

[gwhalin]

My tailgate would be too difficult to remove due to the damper.

 

[Grumpaw]

Similar to the seats they steal out of Tahoes

They break in, steal your third seat, then it ends up on marketplace or craigslist and someone else that got theirs stolen buys it because they still need it for their kids, etc. Apparently was a desirable option

Heck, if I had the misfortune to own a GM product, I'd leave the keys in it hoping someone would steal it....If no one would steal it, I'd trade it in for a rusted grocery cart to push around instead...

 

[dtech]

I was watching entertainment tonight and a door cam recorded 2 unrelated porch pirates who were fighting over a package let on a front porch, I guess it's getting rough out there

https://www.fox4news.com/video/1475960

 

[brroberts]

Heck, if I had the misfortune to own a GM product, I'd leave the keys in it hoping someone would steal it....If no one would steal it, I'd trade it in for a rusted grocery cart to push around instead...

My ‘98 C2500 has been a very reliable and long lasting truck. Only my Toyota Corolla has held up better. I can only hope my Ranger joins their ranks.

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