Authorities Thursday looked for additional victims as they arrested theft and vandalism suspects who targeted self-serve car washes across Los Angeles.
Hulisses Ochoa and his significant other, Jocelyn Encalada, used pry tools and drills to open the metal door to individual kiosks and steal cash, including coins, the Los Angeles Police department said.
Credit: LAPD
Once they opened the kiosks, the suspects allegedly broke off the lock that secures the meter door and replaced it with another lock, so that they can return and collect accumulated cash.
Police said the couple also used wooden or metal sticks covered with glue to pull out dollar bills from the machines.
“The meter doors are expensive to repair and replace, and the suspect(s) caused thousands of dollars in damages and were taking hundreds of dollars in U.S. currency from each affected carwash,” the LAPD said.
While one of the suspects was stealing from the kiosks, another covered security cameras with tape or paint, police alleged.
After the couple was arrested last week, their cars, a dark gray 2010 Toyota Corolla and a white 2016 Toyota Corolla, were impounded by police for evidence.
As detectives seek additional victims, any car wash operator or owner was urged to contact the LAPD Rampart Burglary Theft Detectives at (213) 484-3490.