The Brief
- The Alameda County Regional Auto Theft Task Force recovered nearly $11M of property so far this year.
- The task force is focused on getting stolen cars and suspects off the streets to prevent other crimes.
- KTVU was granted a rare ride-along with the team.
OAKLAND, Calif. – The Alameda County Regional Auto Theft Task Force recovered nearly $30-million of stolen property over the last 18 months, including one dramatic recovery of a stolen Jeep by a suspect who was hiding in a water tunnel, but who was eventually spotted by a law enforcement drone and dragged out in handcuffs.
The unit, known by the acronym ACRATT, is made up of law enforcement members from the Oakland police department, Alameda County sheriff’s office and California Highway Patrol.
Recovering stolen cars
The joint task force is focused on reducing vehicle thefts and getting stolen cars and suspects off the streets.
“It’s the gateway crime,” said one of the members of the task force. “They use stolen vehicles, in every other violent crime, major crime. That’s what gets used, so we’re trying to get it at the lower level.”
Rare ride-along
KTVU was granted a ride-along with the team as the undercover officers drove through parts of Oakland, identifying stolen vehicles and seeking out suspects, offering a rare glimpse at what it takes to recover a stolen car. …