Amarillo, TX - Tailgate thefts are on the rise in Texas and this crime has even been seen in our area.
Truck owners are being urged to be aware so they can keep from falling victim.
The Amarillo Police Department say in 2012 they saw a number of tailgate thefts.
The good news is that as of recent they haven't had any reports.
That doesn't mean the problem has gone away; Texas is currently being hit the hardest.
Tailgates are being stolen in as little as 30 seconds.
Law enforcement across the state say prevention is the key to deterring this crime.
Their advice is for residents to lock their tailgates and, if they don't have a lock, buy one.
They also urge pickup owners to etch an identifying mark or serial number on their tailgates.
Items without a serial number can easily be put in the marketplace and there's no way to track them.
Tailgates range from around $1,000 to more than $4,000 and are sold on the black market for a fraction of the cost.
Nationally, Ford trucks like the F-250 and F-150 are prime targets.
In Texas, late-model Chevy's, Dodge's and other types of trucks have been targeted as well.
