Provincial police are warning of the potential dangers of stealing lug nuts from vehicles after the wheel fasteners were swiped from two cars in Tillsonburg.
Oxford OPP were called about the theft at a home on Erie Court around 1:20 p.m. on Tuesday. Officers determined earlier the same day unknown individuals walked up to the vehicles in the parking lot and proceeded to loosen and remove the lug nuts and a hubcap.
"This act of mischief could have had devastating effects for the driver of the vehicle and other innocent motorists and pedestrians travelling along the roadway," police said.
Police are searching for those responsible for the theft.
The incident in Tillsonburg comes nearly four weeks after a rear wheel of a vehicle in St. Thomas came off as the owner was pulling into his workplace. Police determined the vehicle's lug nuts had been removed while it was parked at a shopping plaza. At the time, police said they believed the removal was part of an "irresponsible and dangerous" social media trend where people film themselves stealing the tire securing item.