Police warn of tires, rims stolen from vehicles in Metra parking lots

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Metra police have issued a warning after vehicle thefts and vandalism at Metra parking lots on the South Side.

Metra said the most recent incidents involved cars in the Metra lots at the Kensington/115th Street Metra Electric Line station, the 93rd Street South Shore Line station and the Hegewisch station.

Tires and rims on multiple vehicles were reported stolen, police said.

"A couple weeks ago I got off the train and was going to my car and noticed a bunch of lug nuts on the round," said Angela Kinstner, commuter at the Hegewisch stop.

Kinstner parks in the crowded lot across the street from the station.

"Between the two of us, there was probably about 25 lug nuts on the ground," she said.

Kinstner noticed the lug nuts in time, but the driver next to her did not.

"She tried to pull away, anyway, and you heard this big crunch and her wheel just fell off in the parking lot," she said.

The open air lot at the Kensington stop has the same chronic problem.

"Lug nuts are cheap, wheels and tires are not," said Rosa Diaz-Wiggins, commuter.

Passengers have returned to their cars to find all four tires gone.

"We are asking our customers and members of the public for their assistance not only with identifying those responsible for these crimes but also with preventing future occurrences," said Metra Chief of Police Joseph Perez.

The Metra Police Department is working with Chicago police and other local law enforcement agencies in connection with the crimes.

Anyone with information is asked to call Metra police at 312-322-2800.