In a string of brazen thefts, thieves have stripped the tires and rims from multiple cars in South Philadelphia, specifically targeting Ford Explorers. According to CBS News, these incidents have escalated throughout August, with one of the most recent thefts occurring overnight on Aug. 18 near 1 Jackson Street.
A woman, upon returning to her vehicle after it was parked near 1 Jackson Street since Sunday night, discovered on August 20 that all her tires and rims were missing, NBC10 reported. The victim, Dana Howlett, shared that the occurrence was disheartening and noted the frequency of such thefts, "It’s been ongoing all summer. I would say the last three weeks is when it’s really started to pick up because it’s two cars each time and it’s like a pattern. It’s all Explorers, all four tires gone every single time," as detailed by NBC10. Howlett and other residents had petitioned the City Council for surveillance cameras, securing over 1,500 signatures which, revealed by the petition was given to Councilmember Mark Squilla who is looking into the request.
Similar thefts reported by FOX 29 have also highlighted the residents' worries, especially those parking their vehicles underneath I-95, an area that has become a hot spot for tire theft. The impacted area allows for convenient parking but has now become a target for criminal activity. "This is a free lot that we all kind of just use because there’s no other parking throughout the city," Howlett told FOX 29. After the theft, Howlett spent her morning on the phone, trying to coordinate the replacement of her stolen wheels, stressing the impact on "hardworking parents trying to go to work and now we can’t, we can’t have anything nice."
Police are investigating the thefts and urge vigilance among car owners. The thefts are not just isolated incidents but may be part of a larger pattern or ring, suggested officials. Councilman Squilla has indicated that the problem is being taken seriously and that discussions with PennDOT and other officials are in progress regarding the installation of cameras. Without such preventive measures, residents like John Fuerst continue to feel vulnerable, "It’s frustrating because I can’t park my car under here because I don’t know what they would do, so I stay away and hope for the best," he explained, as reported by FOX 29.
