Share

Criminal 'big wheels' ripping rims

It takes some planning to try to steal the tyres off of a car while its still in a dealership but a gang of fast-moving thieves managed to rip off nearly two dozen vehicles at a Ford dealership in Angleton, Texas.

Managers were baffled when they came to work and found 22 cars missing all four wheels. Even more suprising was that each of the vandilised vehicles was propped on tiny wooden blocks.

After disabling the secruity lights the thieves went to work, even going so far as being picky about the merchanidse: they stole only 20" wheels. Ford reports that the theft will cost the dealer's insurers about R100 000.

"They must have been working for at least an hour or two and that's the thing that's shocking... with so many cars passing by, that nobody saw anything," said general manager Mark Holian.

The Angleton police department has found a pattern in the thefts. Many car dealers around Houston have been raided in a similar fashion with vehicles being stripped of wheels and left on wooden blocks.

"Make sure that all these are connected, such as from Madisonville, Sealy and Houston. They all had some in November," Angleton Police Department Sgt. Kirk Coleman said.


We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE