Officials investigating a connection in recent tire thefts

Truck resting on cinder blocks after having wheels stolen (Photo courtesy of WAOW-TV)
Truck resting on cinder blocks after having wheels stolen (Photo courtesy of WAOW-TV)

MERRILL, WI (WSAU) -- Detectives in Lincoln and Clark Counties are teaming up to find who's behind a recent string of tire thefts from area car dealerships.

The Wausau Daily Herald reports that lots in Merrill and Neillsville have been hit in recent weeks, with more than a dozen sets stolen between the two locations.

Security camera footage shows a white cargo van at both locations on the night of the thefts, leading officials to believe that the incident are connected and could be part of a larger spree. Earlier this year tire thiefs struck in the Eau Claire area, and similar crimes have been reported as far away as Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

Officers in Hayward say a dealership was taken for more than 20 sets of tires and rims over a two-day period in July.

Officials in Lincoln County say they don't have any leads on who may have struck the Merrill dealership, but they agree the similarities in the number of tires stolen and other known details of the crimes mean there could be a connection between the cases.

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