Crime & Safety

Got a Third-Row Seat in Your SUV? They're a Thief's Dream

The seats fetch between $400-$800 on the black market. Here's an idea to keep yours from falling into the wrong hands.

From the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s station:

Although breaking into vehicles and stealing the third row seat has been a common type crime in the past, it is quickly becoming a growing problem in our area.

Thieves are entering locked and unlocked SUVs and stealing the third row of seats to sell on various websites for large amounts of money.

Find out what's happening in Calabasasfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Popular targets are shown to be Chevrolet, Cadillac, and GMC SUVs because the seats are interchangeable with other GM SUV’s. The third row seat is sold as an optional feature, and are designed to quickly and easily be removed, inadvertently making them an easy target for thieves. Once stolen, they are sold for quick cash, and are valued between $400-$800.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and other law enforcement agencies throughout the county recommend engraving or marking your third row seat with the license plate of your vehicle so that they are easier for law enforcement to trace if stolen. Also, it is suggested that you lock down your third row seat with a bicycle lock or a dedicated seat lock (purchased from your vehicle dealership).

Find out what's happening in Calabasasfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Do not become the next victim- Protect Yourself.

PHOTO Patch file photo.

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