Semitruck tire rims stolen from salvage yard

Metal thieves snagged a heavy load of semi truck wheels from a Spokane Valley salvage yard earlier this week. Deputies responded to the business’ property, located along Howe Road, on Monday where the yard’s manager told them someone cut the lock from the facility’s front gate overnight and stole 27 wheel rims and four batteries. Without the tire, the rims are about two and a half feet in diameter and weigh over 60 pounds each. They can be sold at local recycling plants for about $0.70 per pound, which is more than the recycling price for soda cans at $0.50 per pound. The manager estimated his loss to be about $4,000. If the thieves recycled the rims, they would only make about $1,100. If anyone has any information regarding this theft, they’re asked to call Crime Check at (509) 456-2233.