OFF THE WIRE
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
By Pauline Repard
Two Chula Vista police officers and a deputy district attorney worked with a local legislator to pass a law that will make it illegal beginning Saturday to possess a homemade device used to steal motorcycles.
Known as a “pigtail,” the device works so fast that thieves can use it to hotwire a motorcycle in less than 20 seconds, authorities said. Previously, it was not illegal to make or own a pigtail, though existing law made it illegal to possess tools used to break into vehicles.
Chula Vista police Officers Martin Bolger and Anthony Molina and Deputy District Attorney Michael MacNeil worked with Assemblyman Martin Garrick, a motorcycle enthusiast and a Solana Beach Republican, to pass the bill aimed at curtailing motorcycle thefts. More than 1,100 sport motorcycles were stolen in San Diego County last year.
Garrick’s bill added a section to the state Penal Code to outlaw possession of tools that bypass a motorcycle ignition and possession of those tools with intent to steal a motorcycle.
Violators could be charged with a misdemeanor and face up to a $1,000 fine and six months in jail.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the legislation on July 19, but a news conference was held Tuesday outside the National City Motorcycle shop owned by Mike Ramos to announce that it will take effect Saturday. Attending the event were Garrick, Molina, National City Police Chief Adolfo Gonzales, Chula Vista Police Chief David Bejarano and California Highway Patrol Capt. Scott Parker.
Statistics from the Regional Auto Theft Task Force show that only 22 percent of the motorcycles stolen in the county are recovered. Authorities said the cost of insurance claims, with motorcycles valued at an average of $9,000, often are passed along to all consumers in the form of higher rates.
• (619) 293-1865
