TIRE ROLLING LANDS ONE IN POLICE CUSTODY At about 7:59am, on Thursday, March 26, 2009, officers from Area D-4 (South End) were approached by an individual who said that he witnessed a man stealing tires off a parked car in the area of 433 Shawmut Avenue. According to the witness, the suspect had a ponytail and had already taken three tires off the parked car. After taking the tires, the witness says he observed the suspect roll the tires down the street and into an alley. Officers observed the motor vehicle missing three tires. As a result of the information, officers decided to conduct surveillance on the car in the event the suspect returned for the fourth and final tire. In short time, officers observed the suspect, a man with a ponytail, walk towards the motor vehicle. When officers approached the suspect, officers observed that the suspect had grease on his hands and clothing. When asked to explain the grease, the suspect couldn’t. When asked if he the car belonged to him, the suspect said it belonged to a friend. When officers contacted the owner of the car, the owner was asked if anyone had been granted permission to take the tires off his motor vehicle. To which, the owner of the car stated, “No.”
Officers then entered and searched the alley where the suspect had been seen rolling the tires. Once there, officers located a brown backpack belonging to the suspect. Inside the backpack, officers located jumper cables, a tire iron, a small wrench, several screws and several lug nuts.
A more extensive search of the surrounding area enabled officers to locate and return the stolen tires to the owner of the car.
Officers arrested Jose Rodriguez, 22, of Boston and charged him with Larceny from a Motor Vehicle (over $250.00), Willful and Malicious Destruction of Property and Possession of Burglarious Tools.
