Until we read this issue’s cover story, it’s fair to say no one on our staff was aware of what a significant problem car theft is in our Valley. Sure, we all knew it went on, but after meeting the T-RATT (Tulare County Regional Auto Theft Team) unit, our eyes were opened to an entirely new reality.

In staging our cover photo, we collaborated with California Highway Patrol Sergeant Chuck Mosley, head of the T-RATT unit, to give readers an authentic glimpse of the type of criminal activity they deal with on a daily basis. Although the unit is a collaborative effort, composed of officers from various local agencies, it is most definitely a full-time unit.

For our cover, photographer David Swann and photo assistant Jordan Saba recruited Matthew Lepper as the car stealing “thug,” who allowed the arresting officers to perform a full-body search while Swann snapped the scene with his camera.

T-RATT members routinely work undercover, so with the exception of the two arresting officers who are transferring to a different unit and are no longer required to remain anonymous, the men and women of T-RATT must remain nameless and faceless for their safety.

On the Cover: Arresting officers (left to right): Detective Chris McGuire, Porterville Police Department; Officer Baldo DeHaro, Woodlake Police Department.