Published: May 17, 2008 01:28 am            

HPD still looking for leads in tire slashing investigations

The Huntsville Police Department continues its investigation — with no leads thus far — of a large number of tire slashing incidents in the Huntsville area.

At least 20 vehicles belonging to 15 different owners have been the subject of the vandalizing criminal mischief acts that took place between Saturday and Monday.

Detective Marvin Hyvl said that informing the public of specific areas that have been hit may prove to help identify the suspect(s).

“We want the public to know where these events have occurred,” he said. “If someone was in that area and saw something unusual or saw ‘John Doe’ hanging around some cars, there might be information there that could help solve these cases.”

Hyvl said the 2100 block of Avenue S was hit several times.

“On the 2100 block of Avenue S, a white duley pick-up truck had its tires slashed, a white Chrysler Concord had at least one tire slashed and a green Dodge pick-up truck further down on the block also had its tires slashed.”

Victims of the crimes, Hyvl said, included residents as well as Texas Department of Criminal Justice employees and a Harris County Sheriff’s Department vehicle.

Other areas of concern include the 200 block of Hickory Drive, 1800 block of Avenue P, 1400 block of Avenue O, 2200 block of Crosstimbers and Normal Park and 1500 block of Avenue P.

“As you can see, this is not just happening in one location,” Hyvl said. “The suspect(s) is moving around all over town.

“On May 12, HPD got a call to go over to the TDCJ location at the West Hill Mall parking lot. Two white Chevy cars, two Malibu’s, one white Chevy van and a Dodge van all had their tires slashed. These were all TDCJ vehicles.”

Elkins Lake has also been the subject of the crimes, Hyvl said, specifically on the 600 block of Cherry Hills where three cars had slashed tires.

Hyvl said any information that could relate to these crimes is worth making a call.

“There has been a lot of damage done that I saw when reading the numbers for these incidents,” he said. “If anyone knows anything that could lead us to the ones guilty of these vandalism acts, they can call Crime Stoppers or the assigned investigator Gary Shearer.”

Hyvl said the crimes took place anytime from early morning to after 10 p.m. and encourages all residents to be cautious.

To report information, contact Shearer at (936) 291-5480.

Anyone with information may also call Crime Stoppers at (936) 294-9494.

Crime Stoppers pays up to $1,000 in cash rewards for tips that lead to the arrest of the person or persons involved in crimes. You do not have to give your name when you call.

        

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