Memphis Duo Caught Red-Handed in Tire Heist

MEMPHIS—In a bizarre turn of events, two men have been charged with stealing 88 tires from a boxcar in the Binghampton area on Wednesday morning, racking up a grand total of $18,000 in stolen goods.

Police identified the alleged thieves as Pierre Smith, 30, and Charquentis Reed, 29. Each faces ten counts of burglary and theft for amounts ranging from $10,000 to $60,000. Smith’s bond has been set at $20,000, while Reed faces a larger bond of $50,000.

How It All Went Down

The incident unfolded around 5:50 a.m. when police received a call about someone prowling the area near Scott Street and Jackson Avenue. When officers arrived, they noticed several cars leaving the area. Curious, they inspected the vicinity and soon spotted a vehicle unloading tires into a nearby field at the intersection of Los Angeles Street and Ogden Avenue.

As law enforcement approached, the car hastily exited the scene. However, a black GMC Sierra then pulled up at the same spot. Officers seized the opportunity and successfully stopped the vehicle, discovering four new tires in the truck bed. The two men—later identified as Smith and Reed—were detained on the spot.

Investigative Findings

The story didn’t end there. After detaining the pair, the authorities conducted a thorough examination of the train involved and uncovered ten open containers filled with tires. To their surprise, the tires in the truck matched those found in both the GMC and the field, confirming their worst fears: a total of a whopping 88 tires were reported missing.

The premises were searched thoroughly, with some tires found scattered along Scott Street and others near the intersection of Los Angeles Street and Ogden Avenue.

Past Charges and Legal Context

It’s worth noting that both Smith and Reed were on bond at the time of their arrest. Smith had a previous record that included charges of burglary to a vehicle, alongside two counts of theft for amounts between $2,500 and $10,000, as well as two additional burglary counts. Reed’s background featured charges of burglary, theft for amounts ranging from $10,000 to $60,000, and evading arrest—this criminal resume suggests that this duo had kept the police busy in the past.

Upcoming Court Appearance

Both men are set to make a court appearance on Friday morning, where they will likely face the consequences of their actions, amidst numerous charges that could stack up based on the amount of stolen property involved.

The Bigger Picture

This event raises broader questions about property crime in urban areas like Memphis. Incidents like these impact not just the victims and law enforcement but also the community as a whole. As police continue to battle against theft and property crimes, residents are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity they observe to help keep their neighborhoods safer.

While it might sound shocking that someone would orchestrate a theft of such a quantity in broad daylight, this will serve as a case study for how criminal activities can unfold and the methods law enforcement employs to crack down on such operations.

As investigations continue and court proceedings unfold, the fate of Smith and Reed hangs in the balance. The local community watches closely, hoping that justice prevails and that incidents like these become less frequent.

Stay tuned for more updates on this unfolding story and other local news!