Thieves disguised as fishermen target surfers at La Jolla beaches

Surfers are being warned against leaving their car keys and wallets behind when heading into the water after law enforcement officials announced they are investigating a series of thefts at San Diego beaches, including in La Jolla.

Four thefts were reported at beaches in the La Jolla and Pacific Beach areas between March and June 16, and at least one vehicle theft occurred in Bird Rock, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Jared Grieshaber.

The investigation is being conducted by the San Diego County Regional Auto Theft Task Force, or RATT, a unit consisting of 14 agencies from across the region.

Investigators said the thefts are being committed by people who often are disguised as fishermen. The thieves watch as surfers unload their vehicles before they enter the water. The thieves then find vehicle keys the victims may hide in places such as magnetic lockboxes and steal the vehicle or other valuables such as credit cards, Grieshaber said. They use the stolen credit cards to make fraudulent purchases at nearby retailers, he said.

In the Bird Rock case, detectives recovered the stolen vehicle key, as well as thousands of dollars in items that were purchased with stolen credit cards, authorities said.

Two arrests have been made so far in connection with the thefts.

Investigators said they believe there may be more victims and asked anyone with information about these or similar thefts to call RATT at (858) 627-4000.

Police blotter

Additional details were unavailable from San Diego police.

May 29

• Vehicle break-in/theft: 5400 block Soledad Road, 1 a.m.

May 31

• Fraud: 700 block Pearl Street, 1:05 p.m.

• Petty theft: 2300 block Vallecitos, 10:45 p.m.

June 3

• Fraud: 7800 block Eads Avenue, 1:35 p.m.

June 4

• Petty theft: 1000 block Wall Street, 12:30 p.m.

• Fraud: 7100 block Monte Vista Avenue, 6:20 p.m.

June 7

• Vehicle break-in/theft: 5700 block La Jolla Corona Drive, 11:08 a.m.

June 24

• Felony vandalism: 1900 block Parkview Terrace, 5:26 a.m.

June 26

• Felony assault with a deadly weapon: 1100 block Coast Boulevard, 10:30 a.m.

• Felony stalking: 8800 block Villa La Jolla Drive, 12:36 p.m. ♦