Anti-Wheel Theft device
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 166
Likes: 3
From: East Coast!
Anti-Wheel Theft device
Hey guys I've been seeing a lot of 'wheel theft' posts recently on the various boards that I'm on. It's that time of year when thiefs want to make a quick and easy money. Apparently it's to buy x-mas gifts so that their naive' children don't realize what worthless, deadbeat pieces of **** their parent(s) really are. But anyway...on to the point of my post....
A few years ago a buddy of mine gave me one of the best ideas ever to help catch wheel thiefs.
When you buy new wheels (or when you have new tires mounted on your existing wheels), take a small piece of paper and write your name and phone #, along with a statement that says, "When swapping tires on these rims, please ask for Identification. If anyone besides [Your Name Here] presents I.D. please call the phone # below, so that I may notify the police. These wheels have been stolen". Place that paper in a Ziplock back and tightly tape it down on the wheel. Then have the tire mounted.
Now granted, that won't PREVENT a thief, but it will help track the thief down later on. It will certainly give the police a better shot than not having the paper there.
A few years ago a buddy of mine gave me one of the best ideas ever to help catch wheel thiefs.
When you buy new wheels (or when you have new tires mounted on your existing wheels), take a small piece of paper and write your name and phone #, along with a statement that says, "When swapping tires on these rims, please ask for Identification. If anyone besides [Your Name Here] presents I.D. please call the phone # below, so that I may notify the police. These wheels have been stolen". Place that paper in a Ziplock back and tightly tape it down on the wheel. Then have the tire mounted.
Now granted, that won't PREVENT a thief, but it will help track the thief down later on. It will certainly give the police a better shot than not having the paper there.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: HOW FAST WAS I GOING OFFICER? Los Angeles Hating GM Dealership Service Dept.'s Since Sept. 2004
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Good idea...
I'd like to add that keeping your registration paperwork, billing statements and other items with the owner's name, etc. on it is an easy way for a crook to have your car and possibly BS his way out of getting caught sooner.
If you don't leave anything in your car (carry your paperwork or shrunk copy in your wallet), and the crook gets stopped driving (in case you didn't know your car is stolen), he won't have any way of using your name and claiming you "loaned" him the car.
It doesn't stop the theft, but it sure helps if they get caught.
I'd like to add that keeping your registration paperwork, billing statements and other items with the owner's name, etc. on it is an easy way for a crook to have your car and possibly BS his way out of getting caught sooner.
If you don't leave anything in your car (carry your paperwork or shrunk copy in your wallet), and the crook gets stopped driving (in case you didn't know your car is stolen), he won't have any way of using your name and claiming you "loaned" him the car.
It doesn't stop the theft, but it sure helps if they get caught.
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Great idea. Looking to buy some new wheels soon, so I may just do this.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,480
Likes: 62
From: Middletown DE
what happens if you sell the car? and forget about that note?
I agree it is a good idea, but there may be a negative side to it... Lets say your wheels are stolen, then you call your insurance company and have them replace the rims (even stock ones) and tires - cost around 2-3k...
So your wheels are found a month later and returned to you, do you then call the insurance company to tell them? if not - you are then commiting insurance fraud - and if you do call them - they will want their money back for the other wheels and tires, etc... just sounds like alot of work to avoid other potential issues.
Even if someone is caught - Isnt there a law or something where after x amount of time passes - that they cannot be prosecuted for theft if caught with it? IE - they claim they purchased from a guy on the corner or something?
Just curious what the actual gains would be?
I agree it is a good idea, but there may be a negative side to it... Lets say your wheels are stolen, then you call your insurance company and have them replace the rims (even stock ones) and tires - cost around 2-3k...
So your wheels are found a month later and returned to you, do you then call the insurance company to tell them? if not - you are then commiting insurance fraud - and if you do call them - they will want their money back for the other wheels and tires, etc... just sounds like alot of work to avoid other potential issues.
Even if someone is caught - Isnt there a law or something where after x amount of time passes - that they cannot be prosecuted for theft if caught with it? IE - they claim they purchased from a guy on the corner or something?
Just curious what the actual gains would be?
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,874
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From: Fishing Somewhere Cold
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '15
Originally Posted by SmoothFRC
what happens if you sell the car? and forget about that note?
I agree it is a good idea, but there may be a negative side to it... Lets say your wheels are stolen, then you call your insurance company and have them replace the rims (even stock ones) and tires - cost around 2-3k...
So your wheels are found a month later and returned to you, do you then call the insurance company to tell them? if not - you are then commiting insurance fraud - and if you do call them - they will want their money back for the other wheels and tires, etc... just sounds like alot of work to avoid other potential issues.
Even if someone is caught - Isnt there a law or something where after x amount of time passes - that they cannot be prosecuted for theft if caught with it? IE - they claim they purchased from a guy on the corner or something?
Just curious what the actual gains would be?
I agree it is a good idea, but there may be a negative side to it... Lets say your wheels are stolen, then you call your insurance company and have them replace the rims (even stock ones) and tires - cost around 2-3k...
So your wheels are found a month later and returned to you, do you then call the insurance company to tell them? if not - you are then commiting insurance fraud - and if you do call them - they will want their money back for the other wheels and tires, etc... just sounds like alot of work to avoid other potential issues.
Even if someone is caught - Isnt there a law or something where after x amount of time passes - that they cannot be prosecuted for theft if caught with it? IE - they claim they purchased from a guy on the corner or something?
Just curious what the actual gains would be?
If you are not a crook yourself then you take care of it with the insurance co. If you sell and forget about it whats the worst thing that can happen, you get a phone call and you explain it.
I see no down side...good ideas!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,083
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From: I'm not quite middle aged and I only own one gold chain! San Jose CA
Engraving some key info in a spot inside the wheel or on the inside lip is also a good idea, especially if they are recovered after being stolen. That way you don't have to go buy your wheels at the police auction because you couldn't prove they were yours. This happens too often also!
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,723
Likes: 1
From: VIETNAM 64/65-67/68 FL
No comments on the reasons of wheel theft. But i used an engraving pen to etch my plate number inside the wheels. A little harder to remove than just throwing away the paper taped inside.
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Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Glendale, AZ
Originally Posted by SmoothFRC
Isnt there a law or something where after x amount of time passes - that they cannot be prosecuted for theft if caught with it?
but not sure how long it is for theft - and it will ary from state to state.
the other thing like mentioned - is the "possesion is 9/10 the law" (whatever the hell that means)
so i guess engraving a significant "ID" on the inside of the wheel wouldn't be a bad idea - but make it insignificant enough that if you sold them, the new owner wouldn't get your social security number or something else stupid like that! (i'm sure it's happened before)
and then TAKE A DIGITAL PICTURE of your newly engraved artwork with a date stamped camera - and EMAIL THEM to a LARGE mailbox and just leave them there!
(i know - date stamps can be phony) but if you don't have the wheels in your posession, i.e. they are in police impound, how would you have taken that picture with the engraving? just some more food for thought
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 166
Likes: 3
From: East Coast!
For those nit-picking the idea, that's fine...pick away. Obviously NO plan is perfect or foolproof, otherwise there would be zero theft in the world. I just offered the idea as an ADDITIONAL means to help catch a potential thief. Your mileage may vary.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,308
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From: The Beautiful Greater Bay Area California
Great suggestions above. Also, wheel locks! Many owners purchase custom aftermarket wheels, spending thousands of dollars, but, yet forget that the new wheels do not come with a wheel lock/key like our o.e. C5 wheels. So, be sure to invest in this very simple device. None of the above insights are completely full proof. However, a combination of all the above suggestions including wheel locks will sure help.
