Auto Club, CHP Warn: 'Tis the Season to Beware of Car Thieves

LOS ANGELES--Aug. 1, 20056, 2005--Automobile Club of Southern California:

WHO:    The Automobile Club of Southern California and California
        Highway Patrol

WHAT:   Interactive demonstration of how to avoid becoming a vehicle
        theft victim during the height of car burglary season. The
        Auto Club and CHP will also honor the CHP officer who has
        recovered the highest number of stolen cars in Los Angeles
        County over the past year.

WHEN:   10 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2005 

WHERE:  Auto Club Headquarters, 2601 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles 
        Tell the guard you are attending the news conference.

WHY:    The months from August through December is stolen vehicle
        season. More vehicles are stolen during those months in
        California and Los Angeles County than at any other time. The
        Labor Day weekend is the start of "car theft season."

NOTE TO ASSIGNMENT EDITORS: Surveillance video will be distributed of 
        actual vehicle thefts and arrests. There also will be a
        "surgically" stripped vehicle, a display of car parts that 
        auto thieves like most, and the list of the Top Ten most 
        stolen cars.