Caught On Camera: Suspect Slashes Tires Of Over 80 Cars In Santa Monica

SANTA MONICA (CBSLA.com) — A recent spree of tire slashings in Santa Monica has left over 80 cars in the area with flat tires.

Most residents effected by the tire-slashings say the suspects slashed only tires on the right side of their vehicles.

"We have no idea why someone would do something like that," resident Cathy Ward, whose car had the two front tires slashed, said.

Santa Monica Police say that 82 tires have been reportedly slashed, with a large number of the victimized cars parked on Hart and Hollister streets in Santa Monica.

Part of the crime, in which about ten cars were vandalized by a suspect, was caught on camera by a surveillance camera from the Sea Shore Hotel.

In the video, the suspect, wearing a backpack, is seen kneeling down to tires in a parking lot.

One resident says he heard a loud noise, and saw the suspect before calling 9-1-1.

"I heard a crash, and I looked out the window, and there was this guy stabbing my neighbor's tire, and I went to grab a flashlight to see what he was doing, and he ran," the resident said.

While many of the victims were able to get their cars fixed nearly immediately after the vandalism, they say it came at a price.

"Nothing like this happens here," Ward said. "It's very unusual, and that's why we were all very shocked."

The suspect is described as a white male, between the ages of 18 to 24 years, and wearing a hooded sweatshirt.

Anyone with information is asked to call Santa Monica Police.