Temecula Businessman Helps Bust Tire Bandit

A Temecula businessman helped investigators bust a man wanted for stealing tires.

Jeff Yance Lewis, 33, also known as Jeff Lewis Yancey, was arrested Jan. 27 on suspicion of stealing from Best for Less Tires, an auto shop on Via Montezuma.

Fortunately for the victim, the suspect qualified for the title of World’s Dumbest Criminal, said to Rich Richardson, the owner of Best for Less. The name of the suspect’s business, “Jeff’s Tires,” and his cell phone number were emblazoned on the side of his getaway van. A surveillance camera caught it on film.

The first time Richardson caught the vehicle was about half a year ago, he said. The vehicle pulled up and a man got out and stole a spare tire from a big rig.

He caught it again Jan. 17 when it pulled up to a locked storage bin outside the shop. Two men got out, broke the lock with bolt cutters and, out of a heap of used tires, stole “the cream of the crop,” more than $800 worth, Richardson said.

The Sheriff’s Department set up a sting with Richardson. The victim lent the investigators a truck that uses the same kind of tires the suspect allegedly stole, Richardson recalled.

Investigators called the number printed on the suspect’s van and arranged to buy tires for the truck from the suspect. “They gave him the whole song and dance,” Richardson said.

One of the tires investigators got from the suspect had a Department of Transportation identification number on it matching one of those stolen from Best for Less, and the suspect was arrested. Sadly, he was only able to get back one of his tires, Richardson said.

The suspect was charged with felony theft, burglary and committing a felony within five years of being released from prison. He was also charged with misdemeanor driving with a suspended license. He pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to appear again in court Feb. 25, according to court records.