$10,000 reward offered in W. Philly tire slashings
The city and its police union offered $10,000 in reward money Monday for help catching and convicting anyone involved in slashing 56 tires overnight in West Philadelphia, police said.
The city and its police union offered $10,000 in reward money Monday for help catching and convicting anyone involved in slashing 56 tires overnight in West Philadelphia, police said.
Residents woke up Monday to find 48 tires slashed on Hazel Avenue, from the 4900 to the 5100 blocks, and eight more tires nearby on the 5300 block of Chancellor Street, police said.
The mayor's office is providing a $5,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible. John McNesby, president of Lodge 5 of Fraternal Order of Police, is offering an additional $5,000 for an arrest.
After reviewing surveillance video, police said a man and a woman had been seen in the area. The woman was described as black, about 30, 5 feet, 3 inches tall, with a stocky build and long hair, wearing a red or pink short jacket and carrying a light-colored bag. The man was described as black, 5 feet, 11 inches tall, with a dark complexion and wearing dark clothing. (The video can be seen at http://bit.ly/Xg3b3X)
Shaune Marshall, 20, a Hazel Avenue resident who attends Lincoln Technical Institute, said he discovered he had a flat tire Monday morning when he was attempting to drive to school.
"It was slashed. I found out 50 other cars got slashed. It wasn't just me," Marshall said. "I had to call AAA. It took an hour."
Marshall described his situation as an "inconvenience" and said he hoped police "find whoever did it."
"It's a stupid act. It's just stupid vandalism," said Hazel Avenue resident Jeremy Pushinsky, 27, whose vehicle was not targeted, though many of his neighbors' cars were.
"I'm a little relieved I don't have to buy new tires," he said.
Anyone with information about the tire slashings may call 911 or the Southwest Detective Division at 215-686-3183 or -3184.
Last year, residents in Northeast Philadelphia endured several outbreaks of tire slashings, most recently in September. David Toledo, 44, was charged earlier in the year with vandalizing 55 tires in his Mayfair neighborhood.