Increased theft of car wheels and tires in Grand Rapids and Kent County are now on The Grand Rapids Police Department’s radar.
The Grand Rapids Police Department sent out a release urging citizens to be careful where they park their vehicles as several have ended up on bricks in the past couple of weeks. Sgt. Keith Hefner of the Combined Auto Theft Team at GRPD:
“We have had thefts from dealerships, from public lots and from private lots. So, I think everybody right now needs to be a little bit vigilant and a diligent with not only where they are parking their car but what they’re leaving in their vehicles as well.”
The thefts have been happening throughout Kent County. Hefner says its not clear if its an a single team or different groups lifting people’s tires. Neither, he says is there a particular pattern.
“We have seen a number of makes and models of vehicles be victimized. So there’s not one particular car and there’s not one particular area.”
Some safety tips:
“Park in a well-lit area, a good car alarm, all of the standard safety measures you would take with hour house: a dog that’s going to bark, lights that are going to go on—those will be pretty good deterrents.
For those who may have leads or who witness the crimes there is a $10,000 for tips leading to arrests. The number to call is 1800 242 Heat, that’s 1800 242 HEAT.