Sunrise, FL Police Tyre Theft Accused Resigns

It seems cunning tyre thefts are not limited to Derby – or even the UK (see ‘Derby Motorist Stung by Rubber Ripper’ on tyrepress.com). Following information no doubt received through a snitch, Mark Lewis – a police officer in the town of Sunrise, Florida – was accosted by an internal affairs unit, which accused him of stealing the tyres fitted on his own 2003 Ford Crown Victoria from a city-owned police vehicle.

Local reports state that Lewis at first denied the charge when questioned about the brand new rubber adorning his personal vehicle, saying that the treads were original equipment. He also denied that he had purloined the police headlight the unit found in his boot, claiming his ex-girlfriend had probably put it there. However, the jig was up when internal affairs told Lewis that the tyres were traceable. Their report said that when informed of this fact, Lewis “put his head down and after approximately one minute looked up and said, ‘Now what?’” Shortly afterwards, he admitted the charge. Had he failed to resign, the charge would have been pursued as a criminal case.