Truck owners beware, thieves are stealing tailgates.
"If I want to take your tailgate, I'll take your tailgate," said Tom Sanders, a man who characterizes himself as a former thief.
Sanders said your tailgate could be a crooks bread and butter. He tells us just how easy it is.
"There's like a lever lock, you know like a side lock. All you gotta do is open the tailgate and once you get those open you...couple bolts, you're done, outta there," said Sanders.
Just like that and it's gone in five minutes. Fresno Police said the theft is a new trend that's gaining momentum week by week, day by day.
"It's just been a recent increase just within the last 30 days or so that we've seen and there's no pattern to it," said Sergeant Tim Tietjen with Fresno Police.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau has some interesting numbers. A report examines truck tailgate thefts between 2006 and 2012. California ranks second on the list overall, but Fresno is the only California city that ranks in the top five.
The 2008 Ford F-250 was most popular with crooks. The 2010 F-150 was number two, followed by the 2007 Chevy Silverado.
"I Don't know how much it costs and I don't know why people take it," said Thai Lor, a resident who's heard of the theft.
A tailgate lock fits most pickup trucks and it could save you hundreds of dollars.
"We have seen that those have been successful. They're fairly cheap and they do keep the thefts down," said Sgt. Tietjen.
Other ways to deter crooks involve locking your tailgate, parking in well-lit areas or pulling your truck into your garage.
"If they're parked in an inconspicuous spot, you're liable...beware," said Sanders.
Some tailgates can cost thousands of dollars to replace and that's why police say it's important they shut down this crime.
"If I want to take your tailgate, I'll take your tailgate," said Tom Sanders, a man who characterizes himself as a former thief.
Sanders said your tailgate could be a crooks bread and butter. He tells us just how easy it is.
"There's like a lever lock, you know like a side lock. All you gotta do is open the tailgate and once you get those open you...couple bolts, you're done, outta there," said Sanders.
Just like that and it's gone in five minutes. Fresno Police said the theft is a new trend that's gaining momentum week by week, day by day.
"It's just been a recent increase just within the last 30 days or so that we've seen and there's no pattern to it," said Sergeant Tim Tietjen with Fresno Police.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau has some interesting numbers. A report examines truck tailgate thefts between 2006 and 2012. California ranks second on the list overall, but Fresno is the only California city that ranks in the top five.
The 2008 Ford F-250 was most popular with crooks. The 2010 F-150 was number two, followed by the 2007 Chevy Silverado.
"I Don't know how much it costs and I don't know why people take it," said Thai Lor, a resident who's heard of the theft.
A tailgate lock fits most pickup trucks and it could save you hundreds of dollars.
"We have seen that those have been successful. They're fairly cheap and they do keep the thefts down," said Sgt. Tietjen.
Other ways to deter crooks involve locking your tailgate, parking in well-lit areas or pulling your truck into your garage.
"If they're parked in an inconspicuous spot, you're liable...beware," said Sanders.
Some tailgates can cost thousands of dollars to replace and that's why police say it's important they shut down this crime.