‘You’ve Got To Be Kidding Me’: Thieves Target Atlanta Man’s Ford. He’s Shocked By What They Left Behind

Getting your car broken into or vandalized is one of those things that can happen to anyone. It's not just inconvenient and potentially expensive; it can feel like a real violation of your privacy. That's why many drivers take extra precautions to safeguard their vehicles.

But one Ford F-150 driver recently learned that all the precautions in the world can't guarantee that thieves won't target your vehicle.

He woke up one morning to find that thieves had come for his truck in a location that most would assume is totally safe: the garage at his gated apartment complex.

Justin Opel (@justinopel) recently posted a TikTok about the incident online. His frustration is apparent and understandable. Not only were all four of his tires stolen at his own home, the thieves managed to take them in spite of his apartment complex having on-site security.

Justin’s video begins with him walking up to his Ford, which sits on a set of four bricks. Lugnuts are strewn across the concrete floor.

“So I walked up to my truck this morning to go to a run club. And look what someone did? You got to be kidding me. This is in my apartment complex, that’s gated, with security officers. Like come on. All freaking four,” he says.

Perhaps surprisingly, the thieves left behind his spare tire.

“Yeah they left me that, wow how nice. This is crazy!” he says.

Open subsequently posted a follow-up showing his new wheels.

Is Car Theft More Common In Atlanta?

Numerous commenters remarked that they weren’t surprised his tires were stolen because he lives in Atlanta, Georgia.

“Atlanta? I’m so sorry. There is no excuse for this,” one person wrote. Another added, “Yeah this happened to me in Atlanta back in 1992! It’s why I’d never live in a big city."

According to Autobody News, tire theft is common in Atlanta. In 2022, the outlet compiled a list of the 20  worst areas in the US for tire and wheel theft. Los Angeles and the Baltimore, Maryland/Washington DC area took the number one and two spots. Atlanta came in third. Also making the list were Houston, Texas; Phoenix, Arizona; San Francisco/Oakland, California; Sacramento, California; and New York City/Newark, New Jersey.

In December, Atlanta News First reported that residents of an apartment complex in the Reynoldstown neighborhood experienced an uptick in car vandalism incidents. “At least two cars at the Madison Reynoldstown complex were left on cinderblocks with no wheels after they have their tires and rims stolen,” the outlet wrote.

Residents reportedly attributed the thefts to a broken apartment complex gate. One woman whose car had its wheels stolen said that she was going to have to shell out $1,600 for new rims and tires.

These types of claims have reportedly been on the rise for years. WSB-TV wrote in 2016 that “wheel thefts [were] on the rise in metro Atlanta.”

How To Protect Your Car Wheels From Being Stolen

While it's impossible to completely avoid theft, Geico has compiled a list of anti-theft measures you can utilize to prevent your wheels from being stolen. The first rule of thumb, the insurance company says, is to park in well-lit areas.

Geico added that thieves typically chose vehicles to target based on convenience. You can protect your wheels by installing aftermarket lug nut keys to make it more difficult for thieves to remove tires. Just be sure to not misplace the key, as this would make changing, rotating, and servicing your tires a frustrating experience in the future. When parking, drivers can also turn their wheels so that a portion of the lugnuts aren’t easily accessible by thieves.

Geico also noted that an alarm with a sensor that alerts if the vehicle is lifted or tilted can at least notify you if your wheels are being stolen.

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You can also install metal boots that cover your lug nuts, though Geico notes this is a more extreme measure. However, if you are determined to safeguard your wheels or if your car is going to be sitting for a significant amount of time, it may be worth the effort and investment.

Motor1 has reached out to Opel via TikTok direct message for further information. We'll update this if he replies.

 

 

 

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