'Ninja Stars' Littering Streets Of South Lake Tahoe, Flattening Tires
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE (CBS13) — "Ninja stars" are turning up on the streets of South Lake Tahoe; they are made from a piece of metal that could puncture tires.
Police say they first began receiving reports of the "ninja stars" in November.
Whoever is dropping them around town still has not been caught.
On her way back home from holiday shopping last week, Kimmi Phelps did not expect a last-minute trip to the tire shop.
"I kept hearing a thumping noise, and when I walked to the back of my car, air was just pouring out of the tire," Phelps said.
Within five minutes, her back tire went completely flat.
"The first thing I thought was dang it, they got me."
Phelps had read warning posts on Facebook about the "ninja stars" puncturing people's tires, but didn't think she would be next.
"It's the same color as the pavement so you can't pick it up if it's laying around," said Phelps.
South Lake Tahoe police say they've received at least half a dozen reports from citizens who had their tires sliced by "ninja stars" in the past week. According to websites like Amazon, the "ninja stars" are handheld weapons with sharpened edges, made from ordinary things.
The big question everyone in town is now asking:
Who's behind these dangerous spikes?
"This is out of the norm, we haven't had activity like this before, and this is vindictive," said Officer Doug Sentell of the South Lake Tahoe Police Department.
Police say they don't know who's placing the spikes in town, but they know they're everywhere -- not in one specific area.
"We've had reports from tire shops telling us they're getting people who have the caltrops stuck in their tires," Sentell added.
Les Schwab workers tell CBS13 their shop has been fixing dozens of tires since last month.
"If I wasn't able to get my tire replaced or couldn't afford it, it would really ruin my income, my livelihood," said Phelps.
Luckily, Phelps only had to get her tire patched.
As an Uber driver who makes a living being on the road, Phelps says she is afraid of running into another spike that could do more than just slice her tire.
"Now it runs through my mind all the time."
Police are asking anyone with information to come forward and call South Lake Tahoe Police or Secret Witness at (530) 541-6800.
