Cops: Local Increase in Stolen Tires, Burglaries

Suffolk County police said there's been an upwards tick in the number of stolen tires and burglaries in the Commack area over recent weeks.

A member of the Suffolk County Police Department's COPE unit speaking at the Commack Civic Association Thursday night said there's been an increase in the number of tires and rims stolen off high-end vehicles in Commack. Thieves are removing expensive tires and rims overnight, leaving the victim's car on cinder blocks.

Commack Patch reported Tuesday that three vehicles were stripped of all four tires between Sept. 20 and Sept. 21 in Commack.

Police received a call from a Deepdale Drive homeowner reporting someone had stolen four tires off their 2008 Infiniti between 11:30 a.m. Sept. 20 to 7 a.m. Sept. 21. A second resident at 33 Schuyler Drive in Commack called police on the morning of Sept. 21 reporting a theft had stolen four tires and rims off their 2012 Honda.

A Rensselaer Drive resident called Suffolk County police on the morning of Sept. 21 when they discovered four tires and rims stolen off their 2013 Infiniti. The vehicle owner said the robbery had to have taken place between 3:30 a.m. - 5:30 a.m. on Sept. 21.

"If you have expensive, fancy wheels on car park in driveway or garage. Wheel locks can also help," police said.

The COPE officer also recommended residents consider installing motion-activated lighting, claiming often "the biggest deterrent is lighting."

In addition to the tire thefts, police said there's been a uptick of home burglaries in the neighborhoods near Townline Road and Indian Head Road in Commack.

"You know your neighborhood best, if it doesn’t belong there call me," the COPE officer said.

Commack residents in the Fourth Precinct can reach out to COPE units by calling 631-854-8478 or visiting Suffolk County police's website.