Wave of SUV wheel thefts hits Mission Hills

The good news: the wave of burglaries that pestered the Prairie Village area appears to have tapered off.

A map of the SUV wheel theft incidents. Click to enlarge.

The bad: a new kind of crime may have taken its place.

The Prairie Village Police Department is warning residents to be on guard against the theft of wheels off SUVs.

Over the course of the past few months, more than five cars parked in driveways or on the street in Mission Hills have had their wheels stolen. The cars are left sitting on blocks.

“Sometimes they bring their own blocks, sometimes they find blocks in the vicinity that they use,” said Capt. Wes Lovett.

The incidents have been concentrated in the neighborhoods between 63rd Street and 67th Street, from State Line Road to Belinder Road. Lovett said Range Rovers, GMC Yukons and Chevrolet Tahoes have been the most common targets. The thefts tend to take place between 2 and 5 a.m.

“It’s unusual to have crimes of this sort in Mission Hills,” Lovett said. “We’re hoping people who see anything suspicious in the early morning hours will call the police.”

Additionally, Lovett said, car owners can project themselves by parking in well-lit areas.