nothin Fit To Be Stripped | New Haven Independent

Fit To Be Stripped

Paul Bass Photo

A group of tire thieves hit a new neighborhood, as owners of two Hondas in Westville awoke Sunday to find all their wheels and tires missing.

Both overnight thefts took place on Central Avenue.

Both of the cars stripped of its wheels were Honda Fits (pictured). Thieves have done the same to about a dozen Honda Fits around town in recent weeks, mostly in East Rock (as well as once in Fair Haven). Read about the wave here.

The same group of thieves is believed to be responsible for all the swipes, according to Sgt. Robert Lawlor Jr., head of the city police department’s robbery and burglary unit. He noted that the thefts are an epidemic across the country.” The group has also begun to branch out to new-model Accords, Lawlor said; it hit Westbrook Honda two weeks ago and stripped a 2014 Accord of its tires.

Why Honda Fits?

Two reasons, according to Lawlor.

One: The tires fit perfectly on 1992 – 2000 Honda Accords and Civics,” he said. People can buy those older cars for a couple of thousand dollars. The buyers are often in the market for new tires and rims. So this ring will steal these tires and rims and sell them to people on the street for $600, which is a good deal,” Lawlor said.

Two: The Fit’s rims are made with a weird alloy. They’re very light, which is good for street-racing.”

Lawlor said his unit is actively investigating the ring of thieves. He asked anyone with information to call detectives at (203) 946‑6304.

Meanwhile, police recommend that Honda owners buy lug-nut locks at an automotive repair shop to prevent thefts.

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