VISTA — There may be few events more frustrating than having your vehicle stolen — and perhaps nothing better than to have that car returned. Law enforcement is tasked with this often difficult job, and every year, the American Automobile Association teams up with the California Highway Patrol to reward the officers who recover the most cars in a year.

This year, deputies Paul Michalke, Michael Myers, Lucia Rodriguez, Robin Lawrence and Darren Perata were each presented a pin and their own day of the year by Mayor Morris Vance and the City Council. To be eligible for the pin, each recovered 12 or more vehicles, at least three of which were occupied at the time.

There aren’t many patrolers whose sole job is to recover stolen vehicles. Instead, every officer looks for telltale signs while he/she is on patrol. If they find a clearly abandoned car with lights on inside and the windows open, they run the plates and try to find the owner.

Many times, criminals will bolt from a stolen car at the first sign of a police officer. “You’d be amazed how many times the car is left on in the middle of the street,” Perata said.

Of course, it is the cars that aren’t abandoned which are the most challenging. Perata recalled one of his first car chases which went on for 37 miles before he caught the criminals.

“You still have to drive with due regard for public safety,” Perata said. “If it’s 3 in the afternoon and public schools are getting out, you have to let them go.” Many times helicopters will take over the pursuit at that point.

Lawrence, who now has two of the coveted pins, attributed much of her success to the LoJack tracker in her patrol car.

“I love that thing,” she said. “I encourage people to get LoJack in their car because it does work. Anywhere in the county, it’s going to be picked up, so recovery is going to be pretty quick.”

Most of the cars are recovered with little wear and tear. While some cars are stolen to be sold for parts, the majority are used for committing other crimes and then dumped afterward, sometimes as far afield as Mexico.

After reading the formal proclamations, Vance expressed his personal gratitude, recalling the suffering he went through when his car was stolen years ago.

“Just to think of all those you have been able to recover, it’s just amazing,” Vance said. “I’m very hopeful that ... those who do seek to steal autos in Vista will have second thoughts and not do it because of your efforts.”