Crime Watch

Tire and rim larcenies a countywide concern

Posted

The Nassau County Police Department has reported 116 tire and rim larcenies throughout Nassau County since September of last year. Police say that individuals are targeting mostly newer model Mercedes-Benz, Honda, and Toyota vehicles. The larcenies are occurring in the overnight hours between midnight and 4 a.m.

County Executive Edward P. Mangano and Acting Police Commissioner Thomas C. Krumpter are urging citizens to be vigilant and to report any suspicious vehicles or people in the area. Individuals may be driving around looking for the targeted vehicles prior to committing the larcenies.

Since Jan. 1, there has been a total of 26 larcenies,” Detective Lt. Richard Lebrun said. “Most of these larcenies have occurred in the Valley Stream and Elmont areas. Residents should be aware that all precincts have intentions of high patrols, especially in the back streets, in an attempt to catch the individuals who are responsible for these crimes.”

Two of these larcenies have occurred in the Bellmore area and one has occurred in Seaford, south of Sunrise Highway.

“We are intensifying patrols in all the back streets and using plain clothes officers also,” Lebrun said. “For special operations, our Criminal Intelligence Rapid Response Team is looking at all leads.”

Police said that individuals might loosen lug nuts from vehicles and then return to the location in the early morning hours. Many incidents have occurred during periods of heavy rain and wind, when noise remains undetected by residents. The vehicles are being left on jacks, cinder blocks and paving stones.

Prevention Tips:

·       Ensure that your driveway is well lit throughout the night.

·       Install surveillance cameras that can alert you if there is movement in front of your home.

·       Purchase wheel locks for your vehicle.

·       Utilize your garage for overnight parking.

 

If you believe you may have been a victim of these larcenies, please call 911 immediately. Anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the people responsible is asked to call Nassau County Crime Stoppers at (800) 244-TIPS (8477). All calls remain anonymous.