Thieves Hit Car Dealership – Leave SUV on Blocks

Someone spent part of the night crawling around a row of vehicles, stealing wheels and tires from one SUV and nearly making off with parts from two others before disappearing into the darkness. By morning, one vehicle had been left sitting on its brake rotors, balanced awkwardly with a jack still underneath it — a sign deputies say the thieves may have been interrupted or planning to return later. The theft was discovered at a vehicle storage lot used by Glockner South Point Ford. According to a report from the Lawrence County Sheriff's Office, dealership staff found a newer Kia SUV missing its wheels and tires. Deputies responding to the scene observed the vehicle resting directly on its brake rotors on one side while remaining elevated by a jack on the other. Investigators learned the jack left beneath the vehicle did not belong to the dealership. But the thieves apparently weren't satisfied with just one set of wheels. According to dealership employees, two neighboring vehicles had also been targeted. One vehicle was spared because it was equipped with locking lug nuts that prevented the wheels from being removed. On the second vehicle, deputies found lug nuts had already been loosened. That discovery has investigators wondering whether the thieves were scared away before they could finish the job or intended to return later to complete the theft. Deputies photographed the damaged vehicle and surrounding area before taking a statement from dealership staff. One challenge facing investigators is the lack of surveillance cameras covering the parking area where the theft occurred. However, there may still be hope. A nearby McDonald's sits adjacent to the lot, and deputies contacted management to determine whether security cameras may have captured suspicious activity overnight. The restaurant's general manager advised that surveillance footage would be reviewed and provided if anything useful was located. Why Wheel and Tire Theft Is Growing Wheel and tire thefts have become increasingly common because thieves can remove a full set in just a few minutes and quickly sell them online or through underground markets. Popular targets include: SUVs and trucks New vehicles awaiting sale Vehicles parked in remote lots overnight Cars with premium factory wheel packages Experts recommend: Installing locking lug nuts Parking in well-lit areas Using security cameras whenever possible Checking vehicles regularly if stored off-site In this case, investigators are hoping nearby surveillance cameras may provide the clue needed to identify whoever left behind a vehicle sitting on its rotors and a jack as evidence of an unfinished overnight theft spree.

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