BRIDGEPORT — Menacing wheel thieves are prowling the South and Southwest sides.
Authorities say the thefts, in which all four wheels are stolen from parked cars, have taken place at least seven times since late August throughout the Bridgeport, Armour Square, Back of the Yards and McKinley Park neighborhoods.
Most of the thefts took place in the overnight and early morning hours, police said. In most cases, the cars are left sitting atop bricks.
Here's a look at the dates and locations of the reported thefts:
Aug. 22
- 2700 block of West 37th Place
Aug. 25
- 1800 block of West 34th Place
- 3100 block of South Princeton Avenue
- 5000 block of South Halsted Street
Aug. 28
- 2900 block of South Canal Street
- 2800 block of South Wells Street
Aug. 30
- 2300 Block of West 49th Street
So what can anxious auto owners do?
Dave Ming, owner of Dave Auto Shop at 2600 S. Halsted St., suggests buying a set of wheel locks, which can be affixed to the tire rims. The locks need to be opened with a special key, which would ward off potential thieves.
"That's probably the only option you have," Ming said.
The cost of replacing the stolen parts depends on the size of the tires and metal makeup of the rims.
"You should go through insurance no matter what. But it's going to run you easily over $1,000," Ming said.
Police, meanwhile, are urging residents to keep their properties well lit and to report suspicious activity.
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