Thieves try to hide work with fire
By BARRY HALVORSON bhalvorson@journal-spectator.com

Contributed photo by Elmer Cavender Wharton firfi.ghters knock down the flames engulfing a vehicle left up on blocks in the 100 block of Hawes Lane. Wharton County Sheriff's Lt. Daniel Marek said an investigation into the fire determined the vehicle had been reported stolen to the Houston Police Department. The rims and tires from the vehicle were reportedly removed before the fire was set.

A car found on fire in Wharton County Saturday has been reported stolen by the Houston Police Department.

"It is going to be investigated by the Houston PD, but we're going to assist in the effort," Wharton Sheriff's Lt. Daniel Marek said.

"We're hoping someone might have seen a second car driving away from the scene and can help us identify it.

The local investigation has been assigned to Deputy Mike Hines who is our representative to the Sheriff's Combined Auto Theft Task Force."

Sheriff's Deputy Javier Garza was dispatched to a parking lot in the 100 block of Hawes Lane, also designated as CR 140. He arrived at the scene and found a 2007 Dodge Charger up on bricks and missing all four tires and rims. The Wharton Fire Department was dispatched to extinguish the fire.

Marek said it is quite common that cases involving cars being set on fire have had the rims and tires removed.

A news release from the Combined Task Force, Dodge Chargers are not included in the 2007 list of Top 10 Stolen Vehicles but the list does include a number of larger vehicles

The top three, in order, are Ford, Chevrolet and Dodge pickups followed by the Honda Accord, Honda Civic, Chevy Tahoe, GMC pickup, Ford Taurus, Toyota Camry and Ford Mustang.

"Vehicles are stolen for a variety of reasons and contrary to popular belief, the most stolen vehicles are several years old," the release states. "Some are stolen and stripped for parts. Other are stolen and resold by thieves to unsuspecting buyers. Many vehicles are stolen for joyriding, use in committing other crimes, to perpetrate insurance fraud or other illegitimate purposes. Vehicle theft costs Texans more money than any other crime, more than $900 million in 2006."

Marek is encouraging anyone who might have information relating to the auto theft contact Hines by calling the Sheriff's Office at 532-1550.