Merced man victim of car theft three times in less than three months

Dan Riser had his 1999 Honda Civic for 16 years and parked it in the same place in front of his home with no problems.

But in less than three months starting in August, he had two cars stolen three times.

Riser, a 63-year-old Merced resident, doesn’t drive every day. He uses his car to go grocery shopping or to doctor’s appointments. Riser walks with a cane and said he can only walk a block or two at the most.

He parked his car in its usual spot Aug. 18. The next morning, the car was gone.

Riser’s vehicle was found at the Mexican border four days later, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The CHP report notes the ignition of Riser’s car was damaged. The alleged driver of Riser’s stolen car, 25-year-old Robert Burgess, told the CHP he got lost in Mexico and mistakenly got in line to cross the border back into the United States, the report says.

Burgess has served time in Merced County jail previously for numerous offenses. He was arrested on suspicion of vehicle theft and driving with a suspended license. Burgess was booked at the San Diego County jail, where he remains in custody without bail, jail records show.

Riser’s cousin picked up the car from the tow yard and drove it back to Merced.

It was stolen again two days later.

On Sept. 6. Riser filed another police report.

Riser has lived in his downtown neighborhood for 27 years. “The neighborhood does go through cycles,” he said. “I am convinced there is a new crime element.”

This time, his car was found in an alley a couple blocks away from his home. It was missing the front fenders, the grill, headlamps and license plates. Merced police had it towed to a wrecking yard, and Riser needed a new car.

He bought a 1997 Honda Civic on Oct. 1. He drove it directly from the dealership to his insurance agent before going home.

It was stolen the next morning.

Riser heard it being driven away just before 7 a.m. Oct. 2.

“Prey on somebody who has a fighting chance” Riser said about the thieves. “I couldn’t run out to chase them.”

According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, Hondas were the No. 1 and No. 2 most stolen cars in California in 2014. No.1 was a 1996 Honda Accord, and No. 2 was a 1998 Honda Civic.

Riser’s second car was found parked in a carport a couple of blocks away. It was missing the rims and wheels, and the stereo and instrument panel had been removed and put in the trunk. Neither car had locks broken, and the ignitions in both were ruined.

He paid to fix the car and purchased a steering-wheel lock.

“Now I have wheels if I need to go to the doctor,” Riser said.

In total, Riser has spent nearly $5,000 in dealing with the car thefts – towing costs, storage bills, DMV fees and new insurance. Not only that, he had to catch rides from neighbors to the grocery store, reschedule doctor’s appointments and even a surgery.

Riser said the Merced police officers he dealt with were considerate and sympathetic.

“Those property crimes can be just as disheartening as anything else,” said Merced police Capt. Bimley West. “It makes you feel violated when someone steals your property.”

West said the community must work together to report prowlers, and citizens must take the proper steps to ensure their property isn’t stolen. “We’re not on every block at every place at all times,” he said. “We need that partnership with the community.”

West said police haven’t seen any significant spikes in vehicle thefts in recent months and advised every resident to take steps to protect their property.

Riser agreed, saying “Everybody needs an anti-theft device.”

This story was originally published October 22, 2015 at 5:22 PM with the headline "Merced man victim of car theft three times in less than three months."