By Nana N. Ramsey
The Scene staff
Parking Lot C seems to be a hot spot for car thieves this semester.
Someone stole a beige 2001 Buick LaSabre from the lot in January. This month, a student reported that a tire disappeared from his midnight-blue 1997 Ford Explorer.
“The tires weren’t new, but the tread was still good,” said Richard Rice, 61, an early childhood education major. “I just bought them two years ago.”
Rice said he arrived at Forest Park for classes between 10:30 and 11 a.m. March 4. He returned to his car about 4:30 p.m., only to find the axle on the front-passenger side on cinder-block pieces with the wheel and tire missing.
Rice said he was upset but he realized anger wasn’t going to replace his tire.
“I’m trying not to go down to the pit,” he said. “This is a trial, and (God) is just testing me.”
Rice called Forest Park police and filed a report. He said the officer who came out to investigate said he would examine security-camera footage.
Rice had to get a ride from his son, leave his vehicle on the parking lot and return the next day with a new wheel and tire.
Thomas Kitchen, 58, reported the theft of his Buick LaSabre on Jan. 14. He said he was approaching on foot when he heard the engine start and saw a black male with a red skull cap drive it away.