Detective Tom Jauregui of the San Diego Police Department’s Northeastern Division reports that five suspects, owning master keys for all Saturn vehicles, are now in custody. As a result, Saturn thefts have dropped considerably.

Two months ago the Poway Sheriff’s department took into custody a suspect who was under suspicion for unrelated crimes. Hoping to help his case, he asked to speak with the SDPD who covered the Rancho Bernardo/Penasquitos area. He gave information to Jauregui regarding his owning and selling a master key to Saturns. He admitted he made 30 keys and sold them for $200.00 each. Since that time, five suspects who owned master keys and "shaved" (altered) keys were taken into custody. As a result there was a significant drop in Saturn thefts. Also, Saturn is now improving its locks.

It was also reported that Toyota Camry master keys were being sold. Jauregui said he had not heard that this was true. He said that the Toyota Camry has always been a popular car for thieves, and he speculates that the word has gotten out that the police are onto the Saturn thefts, so they are going back to stealing Camrys. However, there are still Saturn master keys out there. Do not drop your guard.

Evidently, the thieves were not destroying or re-selling the Saturns; they were using them for transportation to other cars for the purpose of stealing goods from other cars, which can be sold for drugs. Most of the Saturns have been picked up close to where they were stolen.

Detective Jauregui recommends getting a hidden "kill switch." This cuts off the electricity to the car. Call him at 538-8018 for more information or to report any suspicious activity.

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