POLICE say Honda and Toyota owners should consider adding $14 to their cars to prevent wheel theft – many can do this at home.
If you know how to change a spare part, installing this part takes a few minutes.
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Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park and Petaluma are three California communities struggling to fight off a rash of middle-of-the-night wheel thefts, leaving many cars stranded.
Many cars, police say, are Hondas and Toyotas due to the versatility of wheel sizes being compatible with most other manufacturers.
After riots in Sonoma County, Contra Costa authorities report an increase in wheel thefts at Walnut Creek apartment complexes.
One victim, who preferred to remain anonymous, discovered his car parked on concrete, without tires, in the complex’s garage.
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“My daughter said ‘Mom, why don’t you have tires,’” she told the FOX affiliate KTVU.
“I learned that I didn’t have tire locks, which perhaps could have slowed things down.”
Wheel locks can be bought on Amazon for just $14.
They work to prevent theft because they require a specific socket, or “key,” to turn them with a removal tool.
Without the correct socket it cannot be removed.
Many wheel locks can be purchased from a dealership’s parts department to ensure they match the thread pattern and depth of the wheel hub.
If the wheels are aftermarket, replacement wheel locks can be purchased for a much cheaper price.
Before purchasing anything online, however, it’s important to make sure you’re purchasing wheel locks with the correct settings.
The exact parameters of your car’s wheels can be found in the owner’s manual.
Installing the part is easy as long as you know how to install a spare tire.
If you don’t know how to change a spare part, it’s safer to hire a professional to install and tighten it.
Another resident of a condominium neighboring the anonymous victim, Patrick Perucho, was also shocked by the condition of his mother’s car.
How to prevent vehicle theft
Here are 10 ways to prevent your car from being stolen, according to one car insurance company:
- Lock your doors. This makes it more difficult for thieves to access anything inside the vehicle.
- Keep your keys with you. With smart keys and remote controls, a car can be unlocked if the key is nearby. If the key is inside or on you, it cannot be unlocked.
- Don’t leave the spare key near the vehicle, as thieves know to look for it in common places, such as the wheel well, under items in the garage or in the glove compartment.
- Keep windows closed. If a window is open, thieves can unlock the doors manually.
- Park in well-lit areas, as this helps deter thieves if their actions are visible to passersby.
- If your vehicle doesn’t have one, consider an anti-theft alarm system.
- If you live in a high-crime area, consider an immobilizer device that utilizes a kill switch if the device does not recognize an authorized key.
- Consider a tracking device so you can control the location of your vehicle if it is stolen.
- Never leave valuables in the car, especially in a visible place. Thieves know to look for valuables in the floorboards, passenger or back seats.
- Check before leaving the vehicle that it is safe.
Source: Allstate Auto Insurance
It cost them more than they would have paid for four wheels and tires, as they shared the vehicle.
“I was really scared, because this is our main means of transport. Without it, my mother wouldn’t be able to get to work,” he said.
“Without it, I wouldn’t be able to get to my job, and it really made me fear for those who rely on their cars.”
The Walnut Creek Police Department said it is investigating the crimes to try to figure out a way to catch repeat offenders.
Meanwhile, it has been suggested that homeowners look for cameras or motion-activated lights in or near their parking space to catch thieves in the act.
For those without designated parking, it is important to park in well-lit areas, as thieves tend to attack in places where they are less likely to be seen.
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
