WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, Manhattan (PIX11) -- Residents in Washington Heights are frustrated with the ongoing issue of car wheel thefts, which they say has been plaguing the neighborhood for years.
It’s a sight that neighbors said is becoming all too familiar with, cars left propped up on milk crates and their wheels stolen while no one’s watching.
“It’s just a sense of disbelief," said Gerry Goss, a victim of wheel theft. "It’s like, what can we do? We feel somewhat helpless."
He added, "These guys come in, and they’re out in two, three, four minutes, and your car’s on milk crates.”
Goss became a victim of tire theft a week ago when all four tires from his Honda Pilot SUV were taken in the dead of night. The car was parked on Pinehurst Avenue near West 183rd Street. The thieves also busted his back passenger window and damaged his car's front fender. He says the wheels are worth more than $2,000. His car is currently at an auto shop to fix the thousands of dollars’ worth of damage.
“The actual bill for the damage is $8,600," Goss said. "I’m on the hook for a deductible but, it just shows you the extent of the damage to the vehicle when these kind of things happen.”
Goss is not alone. Residents tell PIX11 News that car wheel thefts have been an issue for decades but have only gotten worse in the past year and a half. According to locals, many cars have had their wheels stolen on nearby Cabrini Boulevard. The area is known for its low lighting and limited surveillance, which they believe makes it a target for thieves.
“Cabrini Boulevard is a little bit of a dead zone when it comes to lighting, cameras, etc.," said Kelly Hushin, a resident in the neighborhood. "Usually, it’s happening on the Northside of Cabrini but in recent months it’s even been on the Southside.”
“It’s a challenge because there’s a lot of spots in this one area, but a lot of times we tend not to park there on purpose," said Deborah, another resident in the area. "We have to be very careful.”
Tire theft is classified as felony grand larceny in many cases. While NYPD data shows grand larceny has dropped 15 percent compared to this time last year, residents say tire theft remains a persistent issue and are calling on law enforcement for solutions.
“I don’t know if NYPD, if they had more surveillance or if they had just like those [flood] lights that would show," Deborah said.
“I think it would be great if we could have some enforcement on Cabrini Blvd, or in the neighborhood, overnight," said Hushin.
PIX11 News reached out to NYPD, inquiring about preventative measures to combat car wheel thefts, and are still waiting to hear back.
To combat wheel theft, experts recommend buying lug nut locks or turning your wheels to a 45-degree angle, which makes it harder for a thief to gain access.
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