Source: NBC Los Angeles, Aug. 24, 2026 (updated Aug. 25). Read the original report (opens in a new tab).
What was reported
According to NBC Los Angeles, an SUV was taken from a fast food parking lot in West Hills at about 5 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 24, near Victory Boulevard and Platt Avenue. The owner's two dogs were inside, with the air conditioner running.
The owner told NBC LA he stepped into the restaurant for a few minutes. When he turned around, he saw a woman in his car driving away. He held onto the driver's side of the car to try to stop her. She backed up, turned around, and left the parking lot at high speed, with him still hanging on as the car went into the street. The rear of the car was damaged.
NBC LA reports the owner then used the vehicle's tracking feature in the manufacturer's app to find the SUV. He stayed nearby and called 911. Los Angeles Police Department officers arrived and arrested a woman.
This is an arrest. Nobody has been convicted. The report did not name the suspect or list charges.
Why parking lots and exits matter
Parking lots are where people let their guard down. We're thinking about the errand, the order, or the next stop, not about who's watching. This story shows how short that window can be. "A few minutes" was enough.
The exit matters too. Once a car leaves the lot and reaches the street, it's gone in seconds. Prevention has to happen before that, in the space between the car door and the restaurant door.
BEAR's prevention-first lessons for drivers
None of this guarantees anything. Each step makes you and your car a harder target.
- Never leave a car running and unattended, not even for a minute. A running car with nobody in it is the easiest target in any lot. If pets are in the car on a hot day, use the drive-thru, bring someone who can stay with the car, or leave them at home.
- Lock it and take the key every time. Short stops are when people skip it.
- Look up when you walk back to your car. Phone away and keys ready. Notice anyone sitting in a car nearby, standing by your car, or watching the doors.
- Park where people can see you. Near the entrance, in good light, and in view of the windows or cameras. Avoid the far corners and spots that block you in.
- Know your way out. When you can, back in or pull through so you can drive straight out. Know where the exits are.
- Set up your vehicle's tracking now. Know how to activate it before you ever need it, and keep your account login handy.
If it happens anyway
Your life matters more than any car. Don't chase the car, block it, or hold onto it. A moving car can drag or run over a person. Get to a safe spot and call 911 right away. Give the location, the car's description, and the plate. If you can track the vehicle, tell the dispatcher and let officers make contact. The owner in this story did exactly that. Don't approach the car yourself.
If anyone points a weapon at you or threatens you, give up the keys and get away. Follow the dispatcher's instructions.
For business owners: your parking lot is part of your front door
To a customer, the visit starts in your parking lot. Restaurants, retail centers, and office properties can make theirs a harder place to commit crime:
- Lighting and sightlines. A bright lot with clear views from inside and from the street.
- Cameras that cover the lot and the exits, not just the register. Make sure someone knows how to pull and save footage for police.
- A visible, trained presence at busy hours. A guard or patrol who walks the lot, greets people, and pays attention tells everyone that people here notice things. That's "psychology, not intimidation." It's about being alert, not looking big.
- Staff who know what to watch for and who to call. Someone sitting in a car with the engine running for a long time, people walking between rows checking door handles, or cars circling the lot. Train staff to call 911 and not to step in physically.
- Signs and simple reminders. "Lock it, take your keys" signs at the entrance cost little and help.
Where GOLDNBEAR fits
GOLDNBEAR SECURITY is a veteran-owned private security company in Los Angeles, operating since 2004 and PPO-licensed since 2018 (CA BSIS PPO 120234). We're based at 811 W 7th St in Downtown Los Angeles, with offices in Santa Monica and Downey. We help businesses with the prevention side of parking lot safety: mobile patrol, trained guard presence, and site risk assessments that look at lighting, sightlines, and exits. We serve the San Fernando Valley, including Woodland Hills, and greater Los Angeles.
Available 24/7, with free quotes and a response within one business hour. Bonded and insured.
Want your lot handled before something happens? Get a free quote · (213) 864-7178 · (818) 217-5925 · ceo@goldnbearsecurity.com
Prevention-first security. Psychology, not intimidation.
FAQ
Was GOLDNBEAR involved in this incident?
No. This Breakdown is based entirely on NBC Los Angeles's public reporting. GOLDNBEAR had no role in the incident or the response.
Is this article reporting a conviction?
No. NBC LA reports that LAPD arrested a woman. Nobody has been convicted in the reporting we cite.
What should I do if someone takes my car from a parking lot?
Don't chase it or hold onto it. Get somewhere safe and call 911 with the location, the car's description, and the plate. If your car has tracking, tell the dispatcher and let officers handle contact.
Is it OK to leave my car running "just for a minute"?
We don't recommend it. In this story, a few minutes was enough. Lock the car and take the key every time.
Can a business really make its parking lot safer?
Yes. Lighting, camera coverage of the lot and exits, trained staff, and a visible patrol all make a lot a harder target. None of it guarantees anything, but all of it helps. Contact us for a free quote.