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SALT LAKE CITY -- Salt Lake Police say at least 100 cars have now been targeted by a vandal -- or vandals -- who've been puncturing holes in tires in the Gateway and Avenues areas.
Detective Dennis McGowan said reports of punctured tires began blossoming around the first of March. "It's been fairly steady, first of all starting evenings and weekends," said McGowan. "Then it began to be pretty much every other day."
Although victims as far south as Sugar House have filed police reports, the majority of damaged vehicles are clustered around the Avenues from 400 East to 1000 East, the City/County Building, Main City Library, Abravanel Hall, Energy Solutions Arena and Gateway Mall.
"As best we can calculate now, we've got almost $10,000 worth of property damage as a result," said McGowan.
Police say the tires have been punctured, not slashed. Many of the punctures are also in the side-walls, making repair impossible.
Police are looking for a thin white male and asking for the public's help both in finding the suspect and reporting any other instances.
Detectives ask that anyone with information about the identity or whereabouts of the suspect call (801) 799-3000. Callers may remain anonymous. Please reference case #10-71652.
E-mail: mgiauque@ksl.com
