Authorities Warn of Rise in Car-Jacking : Crime: A car was stolen from a woman at a shopping center in Anaheim, prompting a warning from law enforcement agencies.

ANAHEIM — After a woman was forced to give up both her purse and car in Anaheim, law enforcement agencies warned Friday that car-jacking is on the upswing--especially during the holidays.

“It’s become quite a problem lately,” said Orange County Sheriff’s Lt. Jay Mendez. “People should be aware of their surroundings and try to avoid dark areas and secluded parking lots.”

Mendez said car-jackings may be on the rise because it is easier to steal a car when the driver opens the door instead of trying to circumvent the technological devices used to prevent car thefts, including alarms and steering wheel-locking devices such as the Club.

Mendez offered this advice to shoppers: “If a person with a weapon approaches a shopper and demands their gifts or car keys, they should immediately give them up. They shouldn’t argue with them or try to stop them. It’s too dangerous.”

Fountain Valley police added that it’s not healthy to “try to be a hero.”

One officer said such crimes occur both in poor and rich areas and that people should be aware regardless of their location.

In Thursday’s incident in Anaheim, two suspected car-jackers were arrested after a six-mile chase when police spotted them driving on Riverside Freeway in Fullerton, Anaheim police said.

While closing the door to her car, a 37-year-old Lake Elsinore woman was approached by two men in an Anaheim shopping center parking lot in the 8100 block of Santa Ana Canyon Road.

The woman was ordered to surrender her purse and the keys to her 1987 Toyota Camry, said Sgt. Richard Zschoche.

Ten minutes later, an Anaheim police officer spotted the stolen car with two men traveling westbound on the Riverside Freeway at the Tustin Avenue on-ramp and began to follow the suspects. They attempted to escape by driving in an emergency lane in the freeway’s median strip. The suspects exited at Lemon Street and ran out of the car one block from the freeway, Zschoche said.

“They blew a tire and said forget it,” Zschoche said, adding that one of the men was immediately arrested near the stolen car and the other was discovered hiding in a condominium complex.

Arrested on suspicion of robbery was Lonnie Carl Cartwright, 19, of Compton and Bartimus Tyson, 18, also of Compton. Both are being held at the Anaheim Temporary Detention Facility. Bail was set at $25,000.

Police refused to identify the victim. They cited the possibility of retaliation against her.

Mendez, the sheriff’s lieutenant, said most law enforcement agencies in Orange County have increased their personnel in shopping areas during the holiday season.

“Thefts are a major concern during the Christmas holidays,” Mendez said. “It’s the season to be careful.”

Last week in Fountain Valley a man returning home was confronted by a pistol-wielding assailant who demanded car keys. When the driver refused, the robber fired at least one shot which left a bullet lodged in the headrest of the victim’s 1992 Camaro.

On Thursday afternoon, there were two unrelated car thefts within an hour at San Onofre and in Mission Viejo, Mendez said.

About 1:30 p.m. a Volvo was stolen from the San Onofre State Beach parking lot. Forty minutes later a 1988 Mazda was taken by two men in a Mission Viejo parking lot.

“One of our officers spotted the suspects on Marguerite Parkway after they ran a red light,” Mendez said. “They jumped out of the car and ran to the San Diego Freeway and across it. I’m surprised they weren’t killed.”

How to Avoid Becoming a Target Here are some steps you can take while shopping to defend against car-jackers and thieves:

Do:

* 1. Park your car in well-lighted areas as close to the store as possible.

* 2. Be aware of your surroundings. If there are suspicious-looking people where you wish to park, seek another spot.

* 3. If confronted by a robber with a weapon, demanding your car keys or gifts, immediately surrender them.

* 4. If your car or gifts have been stolen, notify mall or store security office, if there is one. Call 911 and notify the police.

Do not:

* 1. Park your car in a dark, isolated parking lot.

* 2. Leave windows open or doors unlocked.

* 3. Have gifts inside of your car where passersby can see them.

* 4. Attempt to argue or fight with someone who is armed and demands your gifts or car keys.

Source: Orange County Sheriff’s Department