A car door theft crime wave has hit New York, leaving vehicle owners scratching their heads.
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Thieves are removing doors, primarily from Toyota Camry sedans and Highlander SUVs, according to the New York Daily News.
The paper said owners struggle to find replacement used doors at wreckers yards for such models because owners keep them for so long.
The thieves – dubbed the “Whole of the Door Gang” by the New York Daily News – mostly target Toyotas in the New York region, leaving owners drivers with no doors and gaping holes in the sides of their vehicles.
New York police have investigated at least six cases of stolen doors in the last three months, many in the area of Flushing.
The doors, which can cost up to US$5,000 each to replace, are reportedly nearly impossible to find at salvage yards, potentially creating a black market in stolen parts.
Police told the paper that thieves sell the doors to ‘chop shops’ or unscrupulous salvage yards and repairers. Police reportedly say some body repair shops try to pass the stolen, second-hand doors off as new, pocketing a profit from overcharging customers.
One victim walked onto his own driveway two weeks ago, only to find the back door of his Toyota Highlander had been snatched clean off the hinges, the Daily News reported.
A repairman at a Queens dealership told the New York Daily News that the mini crime wave of stolen doors is reminiscent of years past when thieves targeted xenon headlights [A newly-launched Nissan models was a particularly popular target] and air bags from all makes and models. “It goes in spurts,” he said.
The anonymous repairman said that Toyota doors are easy to remove.
“The manufacturers make cars easier to take apart, so they’re easier to repair,” he told the paper. “It doesn’t occur to them that they’re also making them easier to steal.”
The report said some criminals are so deft at their craft, they can remove the doors in minutes after disabling alarms and without damaging the vehicles.
