It had been stripped to just a wheel previously. So someone has then sawn the rim(?) to get the hub(?) and left the tyre(?).!
Bonkers.
It's obviously more likely that the owner returned, took the rim, and locked the tyre there, for whatever reasons. I know you just want to start a conspiracy theory, but we're wise to your tricks.
Wonder if you twisted it enough the rim might separate
@snoops started
London Fixed Gear and Single-Speed is a community of fixed gear and single-speed cyclists.
It had been stripped to just a wheel previously. So someone has then sawn the rim(?) to get the hub(?) and left the tyre(?).!
Bonkers.