Whose Talking
Theives stealing mat holders
Police seek info on metal thefts from Kingsport car wash
By staff report
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Kingsport police are seeking information on a string of thefts from a local car wash, in which at least 15 metal mat holders have been taken.
KPD Det. Martin Taylor says the thefts have occurred at 2225 West Stone Drive, a car wash located across from Bojangles'. The suspect is believed to have stolen the metal mat holders throughout the month of October. The latest incident, occurring at approximately 5 a.m. on Oct. 24, was captured by surveillance video.
Police say the suspect was driving a small, older model white four-door car, possibly a Toyota or Nissan. Anyone with information on the suspect, or owner of the vehicle, is asked to call investigators at (423) 229-9429.
Replies
Yep At some washes I have had thefts of mat holders, wand holders floor grates, and even a couple of metal vac domes. If the thieves would work that hard at an honest job they would make a living.
I use security screws for the mat clamps so it's unlikely those will be stolen. The wand holders are through-bolted and I tightened the nuts enough to gall the threads, so they aren't coming off easily. The grates have steel plate welded to them and are too heavy for one person to lift, plus they don't look like the usual steel grates. I'm surprised no one has stolen any vac domes, but I'd just replace them with plastic.
I've never had either of those stolen. I've been told by other operators that they have hoses cut all the time; those guys run a crappy wash where people lose their money a lot.


RL "Bud" Abraham