Thieves targeting 4Runners

Since late February, 10 Toyota 4Runners have been stolen, emptied of valuables and left parked on streets throughout Carson City.

Seven of the 10 have been located, but police are still looking for a tan 1994 4Runner stolen from Palo Verde Drive on March 2, a blue 1985 4Runner stolen Tuesday from a state office parking lot on Stewart Street and a white 1991 4Runner reported stolen Wednesday from Rice Street.

"Basically they are stealing the (truck), stealing the contents ... and then dumping them somewhere else," said Detective Daniel Gonzales.

He said the thefts have occurred at all hours of the day. In one instance, a woman went into Walmart around 3 p.m. and returned 10 minutes later to find her truck gone.

Trucks also have gone missing from parking lots at the Gold Dust West, Carson Nugget and Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center, and from homes on Imperial Way, Loire Street and North Edmonds Drive. The vehicles were all 1980s and '90s models.

Ben Wilhelm reported his grandmother's 4Runner missing from Loire Street on Sunday morning. Police found it Wednesday on Sean Drive.

"They took the stereo, shift knob, both side mirrors, rearview mirror," Wilhelm said. "They took the battery out of the engine compartment, my grandmother's personal items out of the glove box, and she'd also had a brand new battery she bought for another vehicle, that they took, too. They also took the spare tire and the floor jack. They even siphoned the gas."

"Other than that there was no serious damage," he said. "I'm just happy we got it back and it wasn't totaled or demolished."

Gonzales urged 4Runner owners to keep their doors locked, to park in well-lit or populated areas and if possible use steering wheel locking devices or car alarms. Most importantly, he asks the public to watch for anyone acting suspiciously around parked vehicles and report it immediately to police.

He said Secret Witness is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. Anonymous tips can be made to Secret Witness at 322-4900. Gonzales can be reached at 887-2020 ext. 41407.