Anne Arundel County police are ringing the alarm — tire thieves are on the loose. It’s something that’s happening across the area, including in Baltimore. But now, a closer look at the outbreak happening in Anne Arundel County.

Police call it a troubling trend with tire thieves hitting hotel parking lots, residential neighborhoods and most any place a parked car can be found.

Vanessa Strand was hit, sharing details Tuesday about what happened.

“The first time [thieves] took everything, wheels and rims,” Strand said.

Bandits hit her twice within the past six months.

The first time was August. Her 2018 white Honda Accord was parked outside of her apartment building in Odenton.

“August 24, I come out one morning to go to work — the car is sitting on crates,” Strand said.

Then just last month, again the suspects struck. They tried once more to steal her tires, but did not.

“They could have been spooked. Somebody may have come through. And then they just, they left the locks, the lugs on the ground. I had to pop them back on,” she said

Anne Arundel County police have reported a significant increase in tire theft incidents, jumping from 68 in 2022 to 179 in 2023, with nearly 291 cases recorded last year. And so far this year, 49 cases have been reported.

Police say they’re addressing the issue, but admit it’s tough to control and to catch the culprits.

“These individuals, thieves come at night, it’s dark, they’re wearing dark clothing, often masked up,” said Marc Limansky, spokesperson for the Anne Arundel County Police Department. “Maybe they get a vehicle description, sometimes they get a license plate, a license plate on a car is often stolen. so, they’ll disguise their modes of transportation,” he added.

Meanwhile, a troubling trend continues with thieves on the loose.

“Honestly, I don’t think (police will) catch them. They would have to sit in lots 24/7 to catch these, whoever they are. Which I’m thinking they’re young kids or could be grown-ups have young kids do the work for them. I don’t know,” Strand said.

There is car insurance to cover those types of thefts — at least in Strand’s case. Still, she says, it’s also about the major inconvenience of it all.

Have a news tip? Contact Keith Daniels at kdaniels@sbgtv.com and follow him on X at @KeithDFox45