A nearby area is gaining some attention.
Residents of the Upper East Side seemed only mildly surprised when they discovered a car stripped of its four tires, which were propped up on milk crates in the usual low-key spot near Gracie Mansion.
The white Honda CR-V was parked on East 86th Street, close to York Avenue, right in front of a doorman’s building. Residents noticed the theft on Tuesday, just a few blocks away from the mayor’s home.
“This is just another day here,” elevator mechanic Kim Harris, 44, shared with the Post. “It’s like having an Express Tire Shop set up right next to your vehicle.”
Ephraim Hirschberg, the boyfriend of the car’s owner, made an alarming observation before dawn.
“I’ve lived in this building for 40 years, and I’ve never seen anything like this,” he remarked, reflecting on how the crime felt reminiscent of the city’s rougher past.
“Honestly, I thought we were in a pretty safe area. The mayor and the police station are close by… It’s my first experience with something like this around here.”
The victim, identified as Anna K., responded with a lack of enthusiasm when asked if she still felt secure in the neighborhood.
“No! I don’t feel safe anymore,” she admitted with a laugh as her car was readied for towing.
It’s unclear exactly when the theft occurred, but staff at nearby buildings mentioned that workers might be preoccupied dealing with flooding from Monday’s downpour.
Anna isn’t the only one having a rough day in her otherwise charming Manhattan neighborhood.
Another vehicle was also towed on Tuesday, as shown in photos submitted to the Post.
Residents and workers noted that two other cars had their tires stolen recently.
“I think they’re starting to target this area,” remarked Theresa A., a local resident. “That sort of thing doesn’t usually happen here.”
She added that she had seen several posts on Nextdoor and the Upper East Side Facebook group about tire thefts happening recently.
Jason Rivera, a towing technician at MacArthur’s, was on the scene to tow the white SUV and commented that such thefts often happen rapidly.
“These people come in and out; give them about 10 minutes, and they’re gone,” the 31-year-old explained.
According to NYPD data, robberies have decreased by 11%, while other types of theft, like grand larceny and grand theft auto, have seen increases of 3.2% and 4.6% respectively this year compared to last.
Additionally, petit larceny jumped by 6.8% during the same timeframe.
Jason K., who works nearby, expressed disbelief at the boldness of the theft he witnessed.
“I’ve seen this kind of thing in the Bronx,” he noted.
“Last year, they were stealing catalytic converters,” added 71-year-old Kathleen O. “They’re not doing it for fun; there’s a motive.”
