Exclusive: Car Tires Stolen At Jackson Memorial Hospital
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - You leave your car in a parking garage. When you come out what would you think if it was on cinder blocks? Crimes like that and break-ins are happening at the parking garages right by the Ryder Trauma Center in Miami at NW 9th Avenue and 18th Street.
Not one, two or three tires gone but all four tires were stripped off this brand new 2015 BMW. It was left on blocks.
Click here to watch Cynthia Demos' report.
The car's owner, ER Doctor James Prattas, was shocked.
"I was surprised cause there was a lot of traffic, it was a packed garage," said Prattas.
The theft happened in the middle of day, Prattas was on a 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. shift.
"It took alot of insight, it seemed to be it was planned, very methodical," said Prattas.
The three month old car had run flats. The tires and rims were about 3-thousand bucks a piece to replace and the thieves bent the rotor.
Prattas wasn't alone. ER Nurse Yolanda Youngblood, who works with Prattas said, "when I came out I felt violated."
She too was a victim.
"I felt like I was parking in an unsafe garage," said Youngblood.
Her car was left on two blocks, the tires gone. While she's been able to replace the, she said it was just too expensive to fix everything. There's still a dent and a squeeky door she just lives with.
A third victim whose car was also left on blocks was even debating starting a petition. There are only cameras at the entrance. So there is no surveillance of the actual crimes.
"I think we need more cameras on every floor," said Prattas.
When asked if she was afraid it would happen again, Youngblood said, "yes, and it costs a lot of money."
Miami Parking Authority runs the garages but they say the hospital is in charge of security.
The hospital gave CBS4 the following statement concerning the thefts.
"The safety of our employees and patients is our top priority. Jackson Health System's Public Safety Department works closely with Miami-Dade Police Department on all criminal incidents that occur on campus."
Miami-Dade police said a special patrol unit was aware of the problem.
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