Tire slasher raises ire of complex

by F.T. Norton

Appeal Staff Writer

Tenants at Carson City's newest senior complex are fearful that a tire slasher who has struck twice will strike again, harming seniors already struggling on a fixed income.

"It's terrible to reach this age and have to worry," said one of two women who contacted the Nevada Appeal and agreed to talk on the condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation. "You budget every penny for the month and then to have to come up with money to get a tire, it just wipes you out financially."

In January, the bandit, who appears to be a teenager, was spotted by tenants slashing tires on a truck. On Friday, another vehicle was struck, this time belonging to a woman who'd just lost her husband on Christmas Day.

"All the poor woman has done since she got here was cry. Then she went out and never noticed the tire was flat and drove on it to the bank," one of the woman said.

The victim had to come up with money not only for a new tire, but a rim, the other woman added. The truck remains parked with a flat tire that its owner could not afford to replace.

The two wanted the culprit to be on alert.

"Everybody over here is looking for him and he's going to have to pay for the damage on these vehicles when we do catch him. And we will catch him, we know what he looks like," one woman said.

She said her neighbors have all been made aware of the slashings and everyone in the 47-unit apartment complex is keeping an eye on the parking areas.

"We are watching for him. We are keeping a close watch, and we can identify him if we see him again."

• Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.