WYOMING, Mich. — Suspected thieves are targeting rims and tires in Kent County and leaving vehicles on blocks in public parking lots. A viewer contacted FOX 17 after finding a car on cinder blocks in a Meijer parking lot off Clyde Park in Wyoming.
Police say there have been three incidents like that in the last week, some of them in broad daylight.
It's a busy parking lot, well-lit with surveillance cameras, so how were the wheels and tires from three vehicles taken in the last week?
"There were two instances that occurred on the 22nd where two vehicle tires and rims were taken and then we had one two days later where all four of the vehicle tires and rims were taken off," said Lieutenant Mark Easterly of the Wyoming Police Department.
Police say the surveillance cameras were no help.
"There are surveillance cameras in the area, but they just overview the area and there was nothing where we could go in and get specifics on identifying subjects or suspects," said Easterly.
Police have no leads, so they are asking the public to keep an eye out for future thefts.
"We do want to get the information out to the public that if they see people who are doing any major repairs to their vehicles or anything else like that to get a description down, grab a plate number or something if they possibly can for us so we can potentially develop some leads," said Easterly.
It's common for the wheels and tires to be sold back to individuals and businesses. Checking websites like Craigslist could help you track them down if you're ever a victim.
"Get a hold of your local law enforcement and we will go in and check on that," said Easterly. "Don't take it upon yourself to go in and try to reclaim your property."
Lieutenant Easterly says there aren't a ton of ways to keep yourself from becoming a victim, but parking in places where your vehicle is easily visible can help.
