A Cuban woman living in Houston, known on TikTok as Amanda (@amandyta_), shared a video revealing how thieves stole all four tires from her car and shattered the passenger-side window overnight, leaving the vehicle propped up on bricks.
"Can you imagine waking up in the morning to find your car like this? They took all four tires and broke the passenger window to see what they could take," Amanda recounted in the video she posted last Thursday.
Fortunately, Amanda didn't keep any belongings inside the car, so the thieves left empty-handed except for leaving the insurance paperwork on the seat.
The Harrowing Close Call
One of the most alarming aspects of the incident was how close it came to affecting her husband. "The saddest part is if my husband had left half an hour, an hour earlier, who knows what could have happened," she stated.
This theft wasn't an isolated case. In the same apartment complex, another Toyota underwent the same fate: passenger window smashed and tires gone. A garbage truck driver passing through the area later informed Amanda that this was the fifth complex in the vicinity where he had witnessed the same that morning, with thieves targeting Toyotas and another brand she couldn't recall.
Police Response and Community Impact
When Amanda contacted the police, the response was disheartening: "The police said they wouldn't come, that everything was handled over the phone." The Houston Police Department treats vehicle part thefts as non-urgent incidents, directing reports to their phone unit without dispatching officers to the scene.
This type of crime frequently impacts the Cuban community in Houston. In December 2024, another Cuban resident reported the theft of all four wheels from his Toyota on social media. Months later, on Christmas Eve 2025, Leyanet Naranjo experienced a similar situation, sparking a heated debate about safety on TikTok. By March 2025, Cuban comedian Javier Berridy reported a comparable case in Miami, where a friend's car was left on blocks.
Toyotas: A Target for Thieves
Toyota vehicles are particularly susceptible in Houston due to the interchangeability of their wheels with other brands on the black market. According to a 2025 ranking of cities with the highest wheel theft rates, Houston leads the nation. Documented incidents show organized gangs can complete the theft in just 15 minutes.
In December 2024, a trio of Cubans residing in Houston was charged with stealing 52 cars from airports in Texas and other states, with damages exceeding $4.9 million.
Amanda concluded her video with a direct message to her community: "I'm telling you this so you don't leave anything inside your cars, install and activate cameras, take all precautions to prevent this from happening to you. It's heartbreaking to work so hard only for someone to come and ruin it like this."
Understanding Car Theft in Houston
Why are Toyota vehicles frequently targeted for theft in Houston?
Toyota vehicles are often targeted because their wheels are interchangeable with other brands, making them valuable on the black market.
How does the Houston Police Department handle vehicle part thefts?
The Houston Police Department treats these thefts as non-urgent, addressing them via phone reports without dispatching officers to the scene.
What precautions can car owners take to avoid theft?
Car owners are advised to avoid leaving valuables in their vehicles, install security cameras, and take additional security measures to prevent theft.