Thieves stole the tires off of six trucks used to help feed hungry families in California’s Inland Empire region.
Services provided by Second Harvest Food Bank were interrupted Feb. 21 as the group scrambled to find replacement medium radials for the six trucks, which were clearly marked as being with Second Harvest.
In all, 19 tires were stolen, valued at around $500 each, police said. The $10,000 in damage caused equates to around 80,000 meals, Second Harvest officials noted.
Second Harvest serves 400 other non-profit agencies that feed 400,000 people in Riverside and San Bernardino counties each month.
Later on that day, a local Walmart stepped up and gave Second Harvest a check for $10,000 to help cover the cost of new tires.
Police said the thieves cut the valve stems, deflated the tires, then used soap and water to pull them off the wheels.
Meanwhile, police have no leads and no witnesses. Tire dealers in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties were asked to be on alert for any suspicious offers for medium radials.