Sales employees were surprised Sunday morning to find that thieves stole wheels off of four vehicles overnight at the Chevrolet lot of Bruner Auto Group.
According to officials at Bruner, the suspects took four sets of wheels off of three Chevy Tahoes and one Chevy Avalanche.
“They hit it hard,” stated salesman Rick Newton. “They have a crew that puts them on blocks. They go after the more popular 20-inch wheels.”
Newton stated that another vehicle was targeted during the theft; however only the lug nuts were taken off of it.
Although Tuesday was supposed to be a day off, Newton spent part of the day ordering new wheels for the vehicles.
“Each set includes wheels, tires and lug nuts which run about $2200 to replace,” stated Newton who estimates approximately $10,000 in stolen items from Bruner.
Eastland’s Fullen Motor Company reported a similar theft the very same weekend. Owner James Fullen arrived Monday to find six vehicles in his inventory missing wheels. Thieves stripped Chevy Tahoes and Texas Edition Pickups according to Fullen.
“It’s pretty bad to come out and find them on the ground,” stated Fullen of the vehicles from his lot. “It’s created quite a topic of conversation. We’re working on putting them all back together.”
Fullen explained that original factory wheels are in a bit of a shortage and that dealers have to replace stolen wheels with original factory wheels rather than the cheaper after market wheels. Total value of the stolen wheels from Fullen Motor Company is estimated to be at least $15,000, according to Fullen.
Police are investigating the incidences.
