Senator carjacked for 22-inch chrome rims

According to the Oakland, CA police, carjackings in Raider Nation occur at the rate of about one per day. While we don't follow the news out of Oaktown on a regular basis, we're fairly certain most carjackings don't make the daily paper. So why then has the LA Times covered a carjacking in Oakland? Well, it seems that the victim was a state senator who police believe was targeted because of his car's flashy rims.

Don Perata (D - ~~DUB City~~ Oakland) was driving his Senate-owned 2006 Dodge Charger shod with 22-inch chrome wheels and a Candy Apple Red paint job when he was startled by a man knocking on his window... with a gun. The jacker instructed him to get out of the car, so out went the pol, in went the perp, and "poof" went the blinged Charger as it sped off with an accomplice giving chase in a 2000 Camaro (also stolen, wheel status unknown). Perata was shaken up but otherwise fine, recovering enough to go into eye-rollingly opportunistic politician mode, noting that the brandishing of a firearm by the carjacker served to only further solidify his pro gun control stance.

The best line in the article comes in a quote from a police officer who, after hearing the Charger's description, responded, "We're talking about the suspect's car or the senator's car?" Even at 62, Senator Perata appears to have been keeping it real, so to speak.

What are Chrome Rims?

Today, chrome rims are more popular than ever. Whether modifying one's existing car or adding the option at the dealership, millions of people are choosing to add chrome rims to their vehicles. Chrome rims are wheels, most commonly put on cars although they are also made for other vehicles such as motorcycles.

Many new cars come standard with either hubcaps or aluminum wheels. Cheaper cars tend to include hubcaps, which are plastic coverings made to resemble chrome, that hide the car's true, crude wheels. Hubcaps are the cheapest way to make crude wheels look nice, however due to the nature of the plastic, they tend to have a relatively short lifespan compared to true aluminum wheels or chrome rims.

Aluminum wheels are made out of finished metal. There is no need for a plastic covering so aluminum wheels do not accept hubcap coverings. There are countless attractive designs to choose from, and aluminum wheels add a touch of class to one's car. Aluminum wheels are commonly sold in a dull silver finish and sometimes, although less common, shiny black. They are much more expensive than hubcaps, yet tend to be less expensive than chrome rims. Aluminum wheels are probably the most common type of wheel sold with new cars.

Chrome rims, however, are the ultimate addition or upgrade to any vehicle, new or used. If you wish to be noticed or just customize your car, truck, or SUV, chrome rims will do the job. These highly polished wheels are plated with a chrome mirror finish that shines in sunlight or streetlight. Many car aficionados who enter their vehicles in contests and shows, elect to install chrome rims on their vehicles because it makes the cars look sharp, fast, and expensive.

All that good-looking class comes at a cost, however, and chrome rims aren't cheap. Chrome rims or wheels commonly cost between $200-$500 each, and can range as high as several thousand dollars each. Multiply those figures by four to calculate the price of a full set of wheels for your vehicle.

When considering chrome rims for your vehicle, make sure to note the lug pattern of your particular automobile, the size of the rims, and the width. Each of these measurements varies from car to car, so it's helpful to know your specs before shopping for new chrome rims.