Thieves steal wheels, tires from dozens of cars

ATLANTA — Atlanta police had a busy week on the northwest side of Atlanta with dozens of vehicles break-ins and multiple reports of vehicles left on blocks, including two at a rental car company on Howell Mill Road.
 
Two cars were up on cinder blocks. Thieves had ripped all of the wheels and tires off of a Chevy SUV.
 
"We were just checking into cars when we saw it," store manager Luvonte Rhines said. "There was nothing we could do but call the police at that point."
 
The crooks also took three out of four wheels off of a Camry.
 
Both were in a gated rental car lot.
 
"It happened last year as well. I guess it's usual around here," Rhines said.
 
A resident sent Channel 2's Carl Wills a picture from Dover Road where they say police have been dealing with wheel thieves who are targeting late model GM SUVs.
 
And if police didn't have their hands full with those crimes, thieves also kept them busy with a constant barrage of vehicle burglaries. In one case, they smashed into 20 cars in a garage on Northside Drive.
 
"I don't park there anymore," Llona Poddierogina told Willis.
 
She says someone stole her car about a month ago.
 
Willis talked to Casey Garland Thursday night who said he didn't want to park in the garage because of all the problems.  
 
"I just feel like I'm borrowing time, you know? It's a risk every single time. Is it worth it? Which is a thought that I didn't have before," Garland said.
 
Atlanta police stats show vehicle larcenies up nearly six percent this year.
 
Reports show that thieves will strike just about anywhere including at a fire station on Hollywood Road.
 
Four were hit before noon last Tuesday.
 
One of the victims was Fulton County Assistant District Attorney Will Arnold.
 
He says we're seeing a rise in these crimes but believes APD will get a handle on them.
 
"It definitely seems like we're not winning the battle," Garland told Willis.
 
Officers are working overnight hours to try and curb the thefts.