Tire thieves target local car dealerships

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - Sheriff’s deputies are searching for leads related to a string of thefts that seem to be targeted at local car dealerships.

Vigo County Sheriff’s Department investigators are trying to identify and arrest the crooks who stole tires, wheels and rims off brand-new vehicles at two Terre Haute car dealerships.

"It's got to be somebody that obviously has some strength," said Captain John Moats of the suspects. "These are not small wheels off of a sub-compact car.  [The thieves] are quick! They know what they're doing."

Moats said three 2013 Cadillac Escalades were robbed of their rubber, as was a fourth brand-new SUV on the parking lot of Fuson, sometime between Wednesday night and into Thursday morning.

Nearby Mace Ford was also targeted during those same overnight hours.

“As long as I've been an officer, seeing dealerships have their cars broken into, cars actually stolen from the lots. There for a while, you had airbags being stolen out of the vehicles,” Moats said.

Captain Moats said the ripped-off rims and wheels total right at $50,000, and that’s at the Mace dealership alone.

Surveillance video will be examined closely to identify these takers of tires and help bring them to justice.