U-Haul vehicles and trailers are increasingly making headlines across the country for a multitude of reasons, often involving crime and unrest. From a hate group demonstration in Kansas City to a serious incident where a Missouri man was sentenced to eight years for ramming a U-Haul into a White House barrier, the trend is troubling.
In San Diego County, the situation appears to be escalating similarly, with U-Haul trucks and trailers becoming associated with thefts, scams, and even murder. Notably, the latest incident occurred in Mira Mesa, where a stolen trailer tip posted on Facebook Marketplace led to a significant SWAT standoff and the recovery of five stolen trailers, according to various reports.
Just prior to this, Mathew R. from The San Diego Music and Art Company shared on Facebook about how someone had stolen a U-Haul and consequently stole a piano moving trailer from their music school. Fortunately, Mathew’s neighbors came together, providing tools and ramps to help move the heavy equipment.
In another alarming incident occurring outside the Marshalls store near the Sports Arena, a U-Haul truck was used as a getaway vehicle by three suspected shoplifters. After security confronted them in the parking lot, one female suspect fled on foot while the other female climbed into the passenger side of the U-Haul, leaving the male suspect behind to drive. The trio sped away as security staff attempted to follow them in a car.
Nearby police units were alerted and tried to initiate a traffic stop, but the U-Haul sped through the vicinity. The truck ultimately came to a halt when the male driver exited the vehicle, leaving it in gear to collide with a parked car. Locals nearby chased after the suspect while police helicopter support monitored from above, ultimately leading to his apprehension. Meanwhile, inside the cargo area of the U-Haul, the female suspect could be heard yelling, further complicating matters.
On March 20, a stolen U-Haul truck triggered a rapid police chase through Pacific Beach after an automated license plate reader detected the vehicle near the I-5 and Balboa Avenue underpass. Air support tracked the truck as it traveled westbound on Balboa and ground units attempted a traffic stop. However, the driver refused to halt, resulting in a two-minute chase that ended in an alley off Thomas Street. Both the driver and a passenger fled but were quickly caught by the police. The driver claimed to have been on drugs and needed medical assistance, leading to his detainment and subsequent hospital visit.
In an unusual scenario earlier in March, police parking enforcement officers were towing vehicles that had violated “No Parking” signs during the Hot Chocolate Run. While trying to tow a U-Haul van parked in a restricted area, the tow truck driver heard barking inside. A large female pit bull was discovered locked inside the vehicle, prompting a call to the San Diego Humane Society, which safely removed the dog.
A resident in Hillcrest reported her overnight U-Haul rental had been vandalized with spray paint while parked outside. She turned to a cleaning solution to remove the graffiti and was thankful to find that she wouldn’t be held liable by the rental company.
In another alarming encounter shared on NextDoor, a North Park resident named Bobby P. reported an attempted break-in and assault by two men who arrived in a rented U-Haul pickup truck early one morning. One suspect threatened the resident’s dogs and attempted to climb onto a second-story balcony, leading to a police call.
On New Year’s Eve, a police chase involving a U-Haul box truck was caught on video as the driver hit a bumpy patch on the road, catching considerable air. Local commenter Mark R. connected the dramatic police chase he witnessed to the U-Haul incident.
This followed a dangerous pursuit last October when a U-Haul truck was seen swerving across lanes along I-15, reportedly running other vehicles off the road. The female driver fled from authorities, finally exiting at Miramar Road, where she clipped a gas pump and continued down the 163. The chase ended when officers tackled her near a Balboa Avenue dealership with the help of a K9 unit.
Additionally, the relevance of U-Haul vehicles in crime was starkly highlighted in a 2022 case in El Cajon, where a U-Haul truck was linked to a deadly shooting at a dental office. Mohammed Abdulkareem, the shooter, had shot three people, killing one, and fled the scene before officers found the rented U-Haul parked near Balboa Park.
As incidents involving U-Haul vehicles and trailers continue to rise, the implications for safety and crime prevention resonate across San Diego County. The sheer number of thefts, police pursuits, and bizarre occurrences not only raises concerns but also prompts a necessary conversation about the relationship between these rental vehicles and increasing criminal activity.
image source from：https://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2025/jun/09/u-haul-trucks-mark-san-diego-civil-decline/
