Slashed tires: A growing, dangerous trend for Longmont residents

If your car is parked in Longmont, listen up -- Longmont police have received multiple reports of tires being slashed.

Alex Mendez, who works at El Gallito Tire Shop in Longmont, said he’s had a busy week fixing up people's tires in the area.

"We can see here where the tire got punctured, got slashed,” he said.

Mendez said just this week, several Longmont drivers have stopped into his shop with their tires intentionally flattened.

"One customer here, a single customer here and I’ve gotten one more that I didn't have the tire to help him out,” he said.

Replacing a tire is an expensive fix. “They were about 100 dollars each,” Mendez said.

Unfortunately, these drivers are not alone. Longmont Police told Denver7 at least nine vehicles suffered similar damage. Some of the vehicles were located west of Francis Street between 3rd and 9th Avenues. Later reports came out of the 1700 block of Spruce Avenue, the 900 block of Sunset Street and Elizabeth Court.

“This is really our largest amount of tires that were slashed at one time that we've had this time of year,” said Sgt. Jason Malterud with the Longmont Police Department.

Investigators say it is difficult to tell if the tires were slashed by a lone suspect or a group. Mendez said it's not a drive-by crime, but a growing trend.

“It's often. It's about once every six months,” he said.

If homeowners have outdoor security cameras in the area, they can provide the footage to police. Anyone with additional information can call (303) 651-8555 or visit the Longmont Safety and Justice Center at 225 Kimbark Street.