New tool makes tire thefts even easier, as community learns

CYPRESS, TX (KTRK) -- Law enforcement officers are warning residents in north Harris County about a crime trend that is on the rise and will leave victims tireless.

"My wife woke me up out of dead sleep at 5am," said Mike Wesley Tuesday. "I was just floored. I couldn't believe it."

Wesley went outside to his driveway and found his 2013 Chevy Suburban was tireless. His factory tires and rims were stolen in the middle of the night. His SUV was down to the brakes, sitting on two of his neighbors garden stones, inches above the pavement.

"I mean we have wheel locks," said Wesley.

The thieves left behind those wheel locks and lug nuts. The locks usually deter thieves.

"When we got the police out here, they said they sell a special tool to get those locks off," said Wesley.

Eyewitness news learned the tool is similar to the one used by car dealerships or manufacturers to pry off locks that have missing keys.

"Just like any kind of a burglary tool. We always concerned about something like that," said Sgt. James Blackledge.

Sgt. Blackledge said this type of crime is on the rise in north Harris County, and targets specifically Chevy and Ford models that have 20-inch rims. The thieves only take minutes to pull off the heist.

"Damn the bad luck," said Todd Wahlers who also came out of his home Tuesday morning to find his Ford Escape on bricks.

Wahlers said he too had wheel locks and made sure his home was well lit.

"I did everything that I felt like I could do to prevent anything like this. But once again, I'm a victim," said Wahlers.

"We have increased our presence on nights so our patrol guys are looking for them actively," said Sgt. Blackledge.