Two people are linked to nearly half of the cars stolen in Taft this year. In early November, two men were arrested for their involvement in the theft of 23 cars.

Jason James Alfter II and Robert James Scott confessed to stealing the vehicles that Taft police began investigating mid-November, according to Chief of Police Ed Whiting. 

Alfter II pleaded no contest to his count one charge or auto theft in Taft. Both of the men had prior convictions, according to court records. Alfter is at Kern County Jail and scheduled to be sentenced on January 3, 2018. 

Scott, the second man linked to the car thefts, has not pleaded guilty but is scheduled to be back in court for a status conference as well as a preliminary hearing. 

Both of the men have recent convictions for stealing vehicles.