Up to 80 Tires Slashed on Vehicles in SM

Authorities were looking Tuesday for a man who slashed up to 80 tires on cars parked in Santa Monica's Ocean Park neighborhood.

KTLA-TV reported that the man argued with an employee at ZJ Boarding House, a surf shop on Main Street, about 3 a.m. Sunday. After the argument, the man walked around a corner, approached a van believed to belong to the employee and slashed one of its tires.

But the rubber rampage didn't stop there.

The man can be seen on surveillance video from a motel next door scurrying through rows of cars in a parking lot as he crouches to slash tires.

Some nearby residents, like Cathy Ward, found out about the vandalism thanks to an early wake-up call from police officers.

"We woke up at 6:50 with the police pounding on our door, letting us know that someone slashed our tires," Ward told KTLA. "And not only our tires, but our neighbors' as well."

Footage from KTLA shows parked cars, from SUVs to Priuses, with deflated tires bearing visible cuts. Craig Ross told the TV station he hoped he could repair his tire but, "Nope."

A second man interviewed who didn't want to be identified said he saw the man slashing tires but failed to catch the culprit.

The ordeal has kept AAA roadside assistance drivers busy.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Santa Monica Police Department at (310) 395-9931.