Thieves steal all 4 tires off cars

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- Thieves are targeting a quiet New Haven neighborhood, but they're not stealing cars or what's in them: they're going after the tires.

Last night, they took all four tires off one car...something the New Haven police department says they've never heard off..

"I get a phone call from my wife four hours later that all four tires and rims were taken from the car," said Rusty Hamilton, and I said 'what?'"

Hamilton says he has to dish out $600 just to have it towed to a body shop. With milk crates left behind he thinks the thieves knew what they were doing.

Police agree, they think illegal street racing is behind this.

It's a problem police have been tackling for years. News 8 cameras caught some of the races in Long Wharf back in February of 2008.

Police think folks who do this, are also responsible for two other tire thefts in the quieter streets of the East Rock neighborhood.

"So, it's cars that have low profile tires generally and racing wheels that are going to be most tempting to people," said Officer David Hartman, NHPD.

Hartman encourages folks to lock their lug nuts and park in well lit areas.

"If there are issues with lighting in the city call the parks and trees department to raise the canopy of the trees above the street lights," Hartman said.

Also, keep an eye out for your neighbor.

"If you hear a car alarm, call the police," said Hartman.

To prevent another person getting stuck with an undriveable, disappointing headache.

"Like the saying says, "if you see something, say something," cause it helps everyone out," said Hamilton.

Hartman says they're also adding patrols to protect the East Rock neighbors, and they're hoping that will help catch the criminals responsible.