Watsonville, CA…On October 22, 2013, California Highway Patrol Chief Scott Howland presented two officers from the Watsonville Police Department (WPD) with “10851 Awards.” The “10851 Award,” named after the auto theft section of the vehicle code, was designed to recognize officers for their commitment to reducing the frequency of auto theft across the state of California. Officers receive the award based on their recovery of stolen vehicles and the prosecution of vehicle theft suspects.

WPD Officer Bryan Fuentes, ID# 313, received two 10851 awards after recovering 14 abandoned and 17 occupied stolen vehicles. Officer Fuentes is 14-year veteran of the WPD force.

WPD Officer Bryan Rodriguez, ID# 376, received a 10851 award for his recovery of eight abandoned and four occupied stolen vehicles. Officer Rodriguez is a three-year veteran of the WPD force.

In 2012, California vehicle thefts increased statewide by 11.3 percent, compared to 2011. The average economic impact to Californian’s from vehicle theft is over $1.1 billion. Thanks to these officers and many more like them throughout California, 87.8 percent of stolen vehicles are recovered.