By Carolyn Cole/Staff Writer
published Jan. 1, 2009

Vandals slashed 30 tires on 17 vehicles parked in Mustang neighborhoods this weekend, including two tires on a Mustang police patrol car, causing more than $3,000 in reported damage.

Police Capt. Willard James said the Heights Addition was hardest hit, and seven of those vehicles were parked on Highland Drive, but incidents were also scattered through the city limits.

“We do feel the ones that night, the ones that were concentrated, especially around Highland, they are connected,” he said. “Anyone with information about the subject or subjects that may be involved in that, let us know.”

Police give this account of the reported vandalisms:

Friday

• A resident in the 700 block of West Elder Drive reported to police he found two tires slashed on one of his vehicles and one tire slashed on another vehicle. It was estimated it will cost $375 to make repairs.

Saturday

• A resident in the 600 block of South Highland Drive reported someone slashed a tire on two vehicles in his driveway. Police also found two vehicles — each with a slashed tire — at his neighbor’s home and another vehicle with a slashed tire in the 500 block of South Highland Drive. A damage estimate was not available.
• A resident in the 600 block of West Shepherd Drive reported someone cut two tires on his vehicle and estimated repairs would cost $250.
• A resident in the 400 block of South Highland Drive reported seeing taillights speeding away from his home before finding two tires slashed on his vehicle. He estimated it would cost $150 to make repairs.
• Another resident in the 400 block of South Highland Drive reported a tire was slashed on his vehicle. He estimated it will cost $125 to make repairs.
• A resident in the 500 block of North Falcon Way reported all four tires of one of his vehicles were slashed and the hood had three holes in it that looked like they were made with a knife. Two tires were flattened on another vehicle. He estimated it would cost $1,350 to make repairs.
• A resident in the 400 block of North Pebble Creek Terrace reported finding two tires on his vehicle were sliced and leaking air. Estimated cost to make repairs is $400.

Sunday

• A resident in the 400 block of South Pointe Lane reported three tires were flattened on one of his vehicles, and two were sliced on his other vehicle. It was estimated it will cost $800 to make repairs.
• A Mustang police officer leaving for work in the 400 block of North Pebble Creek Terrace reported finding two tires on the driver-side of his police cruiser were punctured. It cost $146 to make repairs.

Monday

• A resident in the 200 block of South Meadow Lane reported hearing a noise, and saw two men running from his home. He found two tires on his vehicle were slashed. It was estimated it will cost $300 to make repairs.

Damage estimates total $3,896 so far, and James said officers are still receiving information from residents.

“What they believe is a small act of vandalism is costing thousands of dollars, to either citizens or insurance companies ... it’s not fun, it’s not a game — it’s destroying property,” James said.