Carolina Tire & Auto Alert - Stolen Batteries

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Charlotte-Mecklenburg police are starting to see a new trend in crime. It's a crime of opportunity and one that only takes minutes to execute.

Police asked us to warn you about car batteries being ripped from right under your hood.

Rufus Blackmon is tired of making trips to the auto parts store.

“Well, I had to go buy two new batteries and pray they don’t do it again,” he said.

Thieves stole the battery right from under the hood of cars parked in his driveway in northeast Charlotte twice. On a third attempt, the car alarm stopped them.

“What they did, they broke this window back here and they opened the back door,” Blackmon says. “Once they get in, they popped the front door then popped the hood.”

Sgt. Ken Schul is handling several cases where batteries were stolen.

“It’s real easy,” he said. “I think the public’s probably not aware that this type of crime is going on.”

In fact, police say they've been seeing this more and more in recent months.

“It used to be a copper issue, copper prices have gone down and now recycling plants are seeing an uptick in batteries being brought to them,” Schul says. “They can make from $20, depending on how large the battery is, to $2 to $3 a battery. You steal five or six a day and you’re making $100.”

That's why they say batteries are disappearing from cars parked at businesses, church parking lots and neighborhoods.

“It’s happening all over the city, were getting complaints from all response areas,” Schul says.

Carolina Tire & Auto says to be vigilant to avoid falling victim to car battery thieves. If you see someone nosing around a neighbor’s car, call 911. They also say that, it’s clear in this case, the alarm managed to scare off the thieves.

Carolina Tire Pros Opens in Pineville, NC

You may have noticed that a national tire store chain just opened a new outlet in Pineville, NC. But did you know there’s also a new, locally-owned store in town? They’re both the same store.

The new Carolina Tire & Auto dealership at 10822 Pineville Rd Pineville, NC 28134 is both—an independent, locally-owned store—and it’s also part of a powerful, nationwide network of tire dealerships.

“It’s the best of both worlds for the people of Charlotte,” explains Jim Seidel, president & CEO of Carolina Tire & Auto (http://www.carolina-tire.com). “Our customers receive the personal service of a locally family owned store that’s been serving the Charlotte market for 14 years. But because we’re part of the nationwide Tire Pros network, our customers benefit from the chain’s tremendous buying clout. We’re able to buy major brand tires for less, so we’re able to sell them at lower prices than a stand-alone store can.”

Tire Pros is the largest network of independent tire dealers in the US. They are one of the nation’s biggest sellers of Continental, General, Michelin, Uniroyal, BF Goodrich and Bridgestone tires. For even greater savings, Tire Pros also offers their own exclusive American brand.

Jim Seidel says he chose to be part of the Tire Pros network because their dealers have real independence and are in control of their own stores. “If one of my customers ever has a question or problem, no one’s going to pass you off to a head office somewhere,” says Jim. “The buck stops right here with me.”

As part of the nationwide network, Carolina Tire & Auto is able to offer its customers nationwide tire and automotive repair warranties honored coast-to-coast at over 300 Tire Pros stores and 1,000 American Car Care Centers.

The Carolina Tire & Auto staff participates in numerous ongoing educational and training programs, so they’ll always be up-to-date on the very latest tire and automotive technologies. “I’m proud of the team we’ve put together,” explains Mr. Seidel. “They’re some of the sharpest tire and automotive professionals in the industry.”

The automotive equipment at Carolina Tire & Auto is also second to none. State-of-the-art computerized alignment ensures accuracy and reliability. Their wheel mounting and laser guided balancing equipment is the best available, enabling the staff to provide meticulous care for every kind of specialty wheel.

Mr. Seidel is confident his customers will be impressed with their performance. “Our goal is to provide such honest, expert, friendly service that once someone tries us, they’ll never consider going anywhere else for tires or automotive service & repair”.