City of Pueblo reviewing grant to continue fight against auto theft

Down in Pueblo, auto thefts have steadily risen over the years. In 2012, 528 vehicles were reported stolen. Just 5 years later that number has jumped to 1,253. Law enforcement is hoping to buck that trend.

On Monday, Pueblo City Council reviewed a $47,000 grant to continue support for a multi-agency task force against auto theft in southern Colorado.

The task force is called BATTLE or Beat Auto Theft Through Law Enforcement.

“Last month the BATTLE group came down here and we busted a couple of chop shops,” said Sgt. Frank Ortega with the Pueblo Police Department.

Managed by Colorado State Highway Patrol, battle works with law enforcement agencies throughout southern Colorado to apprehend auto theft suspects.

“The thing is with auto thefts they cross jurisdictional lines,” said Ortega. “It’s good to have those connections and those resources between agencies.”

The 47,000 doesn’t just go towards apprehension but prevention as well. Pueblo Police hopes to purchase multiple steering wheel locks, particularly for older vehicles that don’t already have a locking system built in.

Pueblo police fully expect the city council to reapply for that grant money for the ninth straight year.