Houston Police Using Bait Rims to Catch Thieves

HOUSTON - "It's a car show lifestyle, it's a culture."

"In Houston, it's like a drug you know."

Some call them dubs while others refer to them as rims. Samuel Gonzalez calls it a lifestyle.

"I've been on rims since they were 17s all the way to 26s as you can see now," he said.

Rolling on rims is a past time that's not going away any time soon, but sporting the shiny chrome can come with a cost. Thieves are willing to do anything to get a set.

"My brother got carjacked at gunpoint, pistol whipped, left in the ditch for a pair of rims," Gonzalez said.

And yet Gonzalez goes out and buys the biggest pair he can find on the market. His rims cost just under $4,000.

But he has some extra protection for his rims' protection. He carries a .45-caliber pistol.

"This is the vehicle I pretty much I love so much that it gets to be like this you have to carry this around. Would you shoot somebody over your rims? I have to play by the law. If I have to I will."

Some are willing to go that far to protect the chrome on their car and that's why the Houston Police Department is actively going after rim thieves.

The HPD Auto Theft Division arrested Luciano and Magdaleno Barron for theft of rims and tires.

Investigators said they bit on the bait, but they're not the only ones according to numbers obtained by FOX 26 News.

Over the last 2 years, there have been more than 3,000 rims stolen from cars in our city. Sergeant T.J. Salazar said that's why the department has set up bait rims: Wheels left in the open and those who bit are arrested for theft.

Philipe Uriarte, owner QTS Rim shop, said the best way someone can protect their very expensive chrome is simple insurance.

"Your insurance might go up 10 bucks a month, but it's worth it. Let them know that they're on your car," he said.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Rollin'
• On
• 20s
• DUBs
• DUB
• Chrome
• wheel
• texas
• Houston
• candy
• paint
• drippin
• tippin
• on
• 44s
• theft
• robbery
• guns
• thugs
• streets
• slab
• whip

[903flores]

Its the black guy from Tosh.0 lol

[ksalbrecht88]

@903flores yes

[ksalbrecht88]

@CalcityAirsoft What are you talking about? Pulling out a weapon to show a potential thief that you are armed & can protect yourself is necessary in certain cases. I am sure the man would rather not have to use the gun at all.

[ksalbrecht88]

@CalcityAirsoft If people make you feel threatened that often then your paranoid. If I myself were in a situation where I felt threatened I can't say what I would do. Also not knowing the exact details of why he pulled the gun out as a "sign" in the first place makes its to where you shouldn't question his judgement. If the man felt the need to prepare his weapon then no one should question him. Now if he waved the gun around yelling like a damn lunatic then yes he'd be out of line.

[Acc0rd79]

lol 2 black reporters talking about rims with a white guy driving the car. lol too funny!

[Matt00214]

1:07

[44waystogetpaid]

we ride swangas out here in h-town not choppas boppas ride choppas

[questluvdakid24]

ITS THE COUNTRY ASS TOWN DUDE

[Dragoeth]

So... you're gonna pull out your gun to show to the reporter to look all badass and stuff... and then forget its in your hand and continue the interview with it just because. Douche bag.

[Tgreatest4oat20]

hahah this reporter funny. rollin on rims in h town. haha

[ballrub]

@commando713 sheiot dawg!!!! dat shits beez wack.why,I told a nigger on the bus,go get yo own rib tips cuz i ain'ts got no bread.he said"I don't want no bubble up,I just wants to gets fuckked up. I said ,sheiot...

[commando713]

@ballrub i could give two fucks about welfare jail or america any nigga in his right mind gone bleed the system and hustle his ass off in america if he wants to make it but pussy ass no ball having ass punk motherfuckers like you sit at home and talk dat nigger shit but in the free world you gotta hold your breath and tounge you can say anything in a muthafuck'n blog.Your bitch ass aint got enough balls too call any black person a nigger in real life bitch by the way that nigger shit is old