Chevy Tire Theft Is Apparently Big Business
Yet Another Crime Involving a Chevrolet Truck Lands Western N.Y. Man in the Pokey
Apparently, Chevy tire theft is big business these days. And while it may sound strange at first, there are quite a few good reasons why thieves are leaving new vehicles sitting sans rolling stock. Modern wheels and tires are worth big bucks, and are much easier to steal (and harder to track) than the entire vehicle. But thankfully, sometimes justice catches up with these enterprising criminals.
Such is the case with a Ransomville, New York area man who made off with $8,900 worth of Silverado wheels and tires last summer. The Buffalo News brings us the good news that 29-year-old Brian E. Schmiege pleaded guilty to “second degree auto stripping” and now faces four years in prison. In addition to the hard time, Schmiege must also pay restitution for his crimes.
Amazingly, however, this isn’t even close to ranking as the biggest Chevy tire theft in recent months. Automotive News brought us the story last summer of a group of thieves who made off with over $200,000 in wheels and tires from a Tyler, Texas, Chevrolet dealership. The thieves, who at least kindly left the vehicles on blocks, spent hours completing the task.
And these are just two examples of what has quickly become the m.o. for thieves across America these days. If there’s one lesson to take away from these thefts, it’s that you might want to look into a set of locking lugs. Because, apparently, thieves have become quite adept at removing rolling stock.
