LA drivers are waking up to lopsided cars after a string of tire thefts. Why thieves are now swiping only 2 wheels — and how you can protect your ride

Jason, a resident whose full name was not disclosed by KTLA, reached out to the station on Sunday after discovering his truck had been targeted. He reported that at least a dozen cars in the area lost wheels the same night.

“I found lug nuts on the ground, and I determined right away that two of my driver’s side tires were stolen,” he explained to KTLA in late July. “I filed a police report and, out of curiosity, I posted photos on the Neighbors app [only to] find out there were a dozen other victims within a mile radius of the Beverly Grove and Fairfax areas.”

Jason shared a photo of his truck on Edinburgh Street in Beverly Grove, which quickly prompted other residents to come forward with similar stories. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, a vehicle is stolen every 32 seconds in the U.S. While this isn’t technically car theft, the financial hit can still hurt.

From rising resale demand to gaps in insurance coverage, this new wave of theft shows why it pays to know what your policy covers and how to protect your car before it’s left up on blocks.

Where are the wheels going?

When Jason and other victims compared surveillance footage, they noticed some striking similarities. The thieves were using the same style of cinder blocks to prop up the targeted vehicles, and in every case, only the driver’s side tires were taken.

“What they do is park their van next to a vehicle to block the view from others. It takes about five to eight minutes for them to remove the wheels, as seen in the video, and then they are on their way,” he said. The rise in tire theft comes down to simple economics: minimal effort, maximum payout.

High-end aftermarket tires are in demand, with the value of wheels climbing alongside the cost of luxury vehicles. On the resale market, prices can vary depending on the brand, model, condition and age. Used tires typically sell for $25 to $250 each — and sometimes more.

For victims, comprehensive car insurance will usually cover the cost of replacing stolen tires and rims, though you’ll still need to pay your deductible. If you only carry the minimum state-required coverage, you may be left footing the entire bill, as this type of theft is often not included.

How to stay a step ahead

With a detective now on the case, James noted the thefts seem to be happening between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. In response, the community has launched a neighborhood watch program to try to curb the spike in crime.