Student’s Stolen Truck is Returned

Only hours after having his truck stolen, junior Lucas Davis got it back, along with his laptop, charger, earphones, hat and sleeping bag. The thief reportedly ran out of gas and was found by LAPD in a Costa Mesa parking lot around 11:30am. Shortly after, Davis received a call that his possessions had been retrieved.

He had spent the night on August 18th in his quad-mate’s room, directly next door to his room in Balboa 103. When he walked into his room the next morning Davis found that his bag had been rummaged through and was missing his laptop. He stepped outside to call his parents, only to find that his truck had been stolen.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Davis skated to the Costa Mesa Police Station and reported the incident. Campus Safety ran into the LAPD later that morning and sent out a local alert.

“I think it was a crime of opportunity,” says Paul Turgeon, the Director of Campus Safety. He suspects the thief may not have intended to take everything that he did, but noticed the opportunity and took it.

“I never met the guy,” Davis says. He is back to driving his truck again, but he hasn’t worn his hat or earphones since the incident. “I don’t want to wear the hat,” Davis says, “because I’m afraid the guy might have lice.”

According to Vanguard’s most recent Security Report, the last car theft on campus was in 2012. Turgeon says its not a recurring pattern.

The most common problem at Vanguard, Turgeon explains, is petty theft. This includes smaller items such as bikes, laptops and phones.

As an open campus, Vanguard is vulnerable to crime. Turgeon wants students to be aware that crime can take place on campus and should take necessary precautions to keep the campus safe. “Students are the eyes and ears of the University,” he says. If you see anything suspicious, please call Campus Safety at 714-966-6799.