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St. Louis Strikes Back
One of my friends had her hubcaps stolen over spring break, which is a new low even for this city. What does one do with stolen hubcaps? They don't drive the car or play music or hold anything up, and they weren't decorative or custom. They were just Toyota Corolla hubcaps.
There's an inherent risk involved with stealing things, especially when the things are in plain view on a street that is patrolled all night by (albeit WUPD) police officers. If you're hotwiring a car, there's a chance that if people aren't looking very closely they won't realize what you're doing. You may be the owner of the car taking a little bit longer to start it than usual. When you're stealing hubcaps, though, there's no alibi. If anyone sees you, they will immediately realize what you're doing, since there is no good reason for anyone to pry off their hubcap unless their tire is flat. So stealing hubcaps is riskier than stealing the car itself, and with much much less of a reward.
Comments
Sometimes the hubcabs are shiny - which is nice. Plus, you can sell the hubcaps on the roadside, and people never think to ask where they came from. There is a large component of West Virginia's economy which is made up of roadside auto parts sales.
Posted by: Brian at March 15, 2004 5:12 PM
But...to steal a car, doesn't that also usually involve breaking into the car itself? Thus explaining all the broken glass all over the street afterwards? I think it would be more obvious if someone is taking a while to start a car that has a broken window. That or maybe there are a bunch of idiots who leave their cars unlocked on the streets of St. Louis.
Posted by: Eileen at March 15, 2004 6:34 PM
I think hubcap stealing is more of an act of vandalism than an act of robbery. If everyone sees you spraypainting the side of a building, it is equally as obvious for equally little benefit, and people still do that.
Posted by: light at March 15, 2004 7:38 PM
But spraypainting a building is vandalism with a purpose, even if that purpose is just to "mark your territory". Stealing hubcaps doesn't have the personal flair.
Posted by: Chris Hill Festival at March 15, 2004 10:11 PM
perhaps he was just doing it to replace his own stolen hubcaps.
Posted by: michael at March 16, 2004 10:12 AM
Ah, but that makes you wonder: who stole the first set of hubcaps?
Posted by: Chris Hill Festival at March 16, 2004 11:23 AM
Why, a travelling band of hillbilly gypsies, of course. Why do you need to ask?
Posted by: Brian at March 17, 2004 9:13 AM
Do they play John Philip Sousa?
Posted by: rkc at March 20, 2004 10:41 PM
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