Since the start of 2025, central Florida law enforcement agencies have reported a sharp uptick in the theft of car rims, with Toyota Camrys and Corollas emerging as prime targets.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office have urged residents — particularly those in apartment complexes — to remain vigilant after several vehicles have been found without their rims after overnight thefts.
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It’s a scenario all too familiar to local mechanics, says Kasey Chouait, owner of Charley’s Tire and Wheels in Orlando.
“People go outside and their cars are sitting on bricks,” he told WESH News.
Toyota Camrys and Corollas at risk
Investigators say thieves are primarily targeting sedans left in poorly lit parking lots.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office noted on social media that most incidents involve vehicles parked overnight in apartment complexes. Limited lighting and few security cameras offer would-be criminals an easy score.
In each reported case, the missing rims were from Toyotas, which can hold substantial resale value on the secondary market.
“If you go buy a factory wheel from the Toyota dealer, it’s gonna cost per wheel maybe $300 to $400 dollars,” Jeff Beaty at Sloan’s Automotive told Fox35 Orlando.
According to RepairPal, the average cost for a single replacement of a Toyota Camry wheel can run between $657 and $685. Multiply those figures by four and a full replacement bill could exceed $3,000, with taxes and labour.
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Rise in wheel theft
"Some rims are very sought after," Chouait said. "And some people know which rims are expensive and worthy of taking a chance, and basically committing that crime."
The surge in car wheel theft is underpinned by a broader shift in theft patterns driven by supply-chain disruptions and inflation.
A recent CargoNet report highlighted a shift in cargo theft toward high-value metals. For example, copper theft rose 85% in the first quarter of 2025 alone, underscoring how volatile raw material prices have made metal components more lucrative.
PropertyCasualty360.com reports that wheel-and-tire theft claims range from $175 to $17,000 — and can climb as high as $40,000. On average, replacing four wheels and tires on-site costs approximately $2,800.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau reports that tire-and-rim thieves can net up to $400 per set; resellers then flip them for as much as $900 to small dealers or repair shops. In turn, repair shops resell to vehicle owners and bill insurers up to $1,300 when the parts are reinstalled.
Invest in rim locks
To counteract the trend, authorities and auto professionals urge simple precautions.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office encourages parking in well-lit areas near surveillance cameras and installing locking lug nuts or “rim locks,” which can range from $20 to $50 per set.
"The best ones are the factory ones; they’re very hard to break, So, these people, they’re very good at doing that," Chouait told WESH News reporters. "But if you have a good lock on it, at least you make it difficult for them to steal it."
For residents of apartment complexes without adequate lighting, a good tip is to request additional security measures — such as motion-activated floodlights or cameras, which can help serve as a deterrent.
As the region braces for more potential thefts, experts stress that vigilance and low-cost security investments are the most effective line of defense.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
