Put the Brakes on Wheel Theft
Submitted by TMCC Security Committee
Security Tip #2 – Protecting Your Wheels
It has already happened too many of our neighbors and you could be next. You wake up in the morning, get ready for work, and go out to your car to find that, at some time in the middle of the night, someone has put the car on blocks and drove off with the wheels!
Wheel thieves usually work in groups during the overnight hours, in the openness of your driveway, and in a matter of minutes, going unnoticed while you slumber. The best defense is to make your vehicle less of a target—nothing will eliminate you from the possibility of becoming a victim, but here are some steps you can take to deter a wheel thief and lower the odds that you will be impacted.
1. Lock your wheels with better wheel locks
Install wheel locks on each wheel. These can be purchased at your local auto parts store, tire store, or online for somewhere around $20-$30. These are a replacement to one lug nut on each wheel and come with a special key that is used to remove the locking lug nut. Avoid using the typical pattern-type. These are more easily removed with an undersized socket hammered onto the locking lug. Opt instead for something more difficult to remove like the sleeved-type.
2. Park in a garage or alternatively as close to the curb as possible
Parking in an enclosed garage or behind a fence is your best option if that is available to you. Alternatively, parking close to a curb makes it harder to take all 4 wheels, where lifting the car and accessing the curbside wheels becomes much more challenging. Thieves prefer all 4 matching rims, as it is harder to sell just two rims, which also carry a lower street value. If you do park your car in the driveway, you can also turn your car’s steering wheel completely to one side to make it harder to get a lug wrench or other tools to work.
3. Car Alarms
If you must park in a driveway and are more exposed to potential theft, consider having a vibration-sensitive, or better yet a tilt-sensitive, car alarm installed. The act of jacking up the car will set off these alarm types and alert the owner and other neighbors to the crime taking place. These criminals work in silence, and these types of alarms disrupt that peace. This may also help to lower your insurance rate.
4. Security: Video Cameras & Motion Sensing Lighting Installing security cameras will help capture the thieves in the act and could make it easier to engage law enforcement’s help. The presence of visible cameras can also act as a deterrent.
Leave on Porch Lights At Night (PLAN) and install additional motion activated lights. These will activate when thieves get close. They typically prefer to work under the cover of darkness and react to sudden lighting changes, both of which can act as an additional deterrent.
5. Serialize Your Wheels
Your wheels are likely copied thousands of times over. This makes wheel identification online, in pawn shops and similar nearly impossible during after-the-crime investigations by you or the police. How can you know that a particular set of wheels is yours? A cheap die punch set can be used to mark initials or some other distinguishing code on the hidden/ backside of your wheel for future ID. Make sure to take photos of the markings and locations for future proof.
6. Know your neighbors
Knowing your neighbors is always helpful. Talk to your neighbors often and trade contact information. A watchful neighborhood is tough on thieves and one of the best deterrents available to us. If you see something, say something. Good neighbors can make all the difference.
If this does happen to you:
Call 9-1-1 if you are catching them in the act.
Call the Non-Emergency HPD number (713-884-3131) if waking up or coming home to a previously occurring home burglary or finding a burglary/theft
of a motor vehicle incident.
Online – As an alternative to the non-emergency number, report the crime online. Theft, Property Damage, or if the crime has previously occurred and is under $5000.
Do you have a TMCC car decal for each of your vehicles? Members who tag their cars help neighbors and private security patrols know which vehicles belong in the neighborhood. Not to mention, a TMCC logo decal is a great way to show your neighborhood pride! Dues-paying members can collect their stickers at the general meetings.
Sleeve-type Wheel Lock
Pattern-Type Wheel Lock