South Orange Police Warn of Honda Wheel, Tire Thefts

South Orange police Wednesday issued a warning to the community. It read:

There has been a recent rash of incidents in which actors have been targeting wheels and tires on vehicles throughout the Village. The vehicles are predominately newer model Hondas but all vehicles especially newer models are potential targets.

The actors are committing the offenses during the evening hours usually after 8 pm. The actors have been placing the vehicles on a cement block or stone to remove the tires.

Don't assume an individual is just changing a tire. Again, residents are reminded to contact the Police IMMEDIATELY of any suspicious activity pertaining to this situation or any others.

NEVER engage the actors physically or verbally. Contact the Police immediately and we will make the needed inquiry with said individuals.

In February,

Riggs Place resident said sometime between 10:30 p.m. on Feb. 8 and 12:40 a.m. on Feb. 9, all four wheels from his guest's 2013 Honda were removed. The car, which was parked in the driveway, was left on cinder blocks, according to police reports.

In a second incident, also on Riggs Place, a resident said between 6 p.m. and 10:45 a.m. his 2012 Honda, which was parked in the street, was targeted. However, an attempt to remove all four tires was unsuccessful, police reported.

In a third incident, South Orange police said the owner of a 2012 Honda reported the car’s tires were stolen while the car was parked in a private lot at the corner of Prospect Street and Irvington Avenue. The owner said the car was parked at approximately 8 p.m. and when he returned three hours later, the tires were gone and the car was left on cinder blocks.

Thieves also reportedly stole the front headlight bulbs and the leather gearshift from a 2001 Acura parked in the lot opposite the Rite Aid pharmacy on South Orange Avenue. The theft occurred between 12:30 p.m. on Feb. 8 and 5 p.m. on Feb. 9, South Orange police said.