Hyderabad: Spare tyre thefts target Mahindra Thar SUVs in Old City

SUV owners in Hyderabad’s Old City are on alert after a series of spare tyre thefts in Chandrayangutta, Akbar Bagh, Malakpet and Chaderghat. Police have registered cases and are examining CCTV footage to identify suspects and establish links.

Hyderabad: Car owners in Hyderabad’s Old City are facing a new parking headache, with thieves targeting spare tyres mounted on SUVs, particularly Mahindra Thar vehicles.

A series of thefts reported in Chandrayangutta, Akbar Bagh, Malakpet and Chaderghat has put vehicle owners on alert, with the thefts being captured on closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras.

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In one such incident in Chandrayangutta, CCTV footage reportedly captured a suspect identified as Subhan arriving on a two-wheeler, and swiftly removing the spare tyre mounted at the rear of a parked vehicle before escaping.

The modus operandi is simple but swift. The suspect approaches a parked SUV, removes the spare tyre and makes a quick getaway on the two-wheeler. The rear-mounted spare tyres on SUVs vehicles appear to have become an easy target, as they can be removed without breaking into the vehicle.

Similar incidents have been reported in Akbar Bagh and other areas under Malakpet and Chaderghat police station areas. The thefts have raised concerns among vehicle owners, particularly those who park their SUVs on roads or in residential areas without dedicated parking facilities.

The police have registered cases under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and launched investigations. CCTV footage from the affected localities is being examined to identify those involved and determine whether the incidents are linked.

The thefts have highlighted a new concern for car owners in the Old City, where finding secure parking is often a challenge.

While vehicle owners generally take precautions to prevent the theft of their vehicles and valuables left inside them, the latest incidents suggest that even spare tyres mounted on the exterior are vulnerable.