Sundre RCMP officers are investigating five incidents of slashed tires that were reported within a two-hour time span on the morning of May 20.
People were calling the detachment saying at least one tire on their vehicle had been slashed overnight. The vehicles were parked on or near 1st Avenue NW, according to RCMP officers.
“This is the first time I've heard of something like this (in Sundre),” said Sundre RCMP constable Mike Martin.
“We do receive reports of similar instances from time to time but right now it appears that this is just several different vehicles that aren't connected in any sort of way. So likely just somebody out there causing, unfortunately, wilful damage to people for inconvenience.”
Officers are unsure at this point if there was more than one person committing the crime.
Jerry Wirchenko's car was parked outside of his home on 4th Street NW when both tires on the driver's side were slashed some time between the evening of May 19 and the morning of May 20.
“Now it has to be jacked up and the front tires got to be put in the back or I've got to get a tow truck in here to slide the car on it and take it to a tire shop. So by the time I get done it's going to be like a $500 to $600 bill,” said Wirchenko.
After reporting it to the RCMP that morning, he stayed awake throughout the night on May 20 to monitor the street. His 85-year-old mother lives with him and he said she felt “violated”.
He has lived in Sundre his whole life and has never witnessed such a situation. However, he said a few years ago several vehicles parked near the RCMP detachment had the side mirrors knocked off overnight.
He is offering a reward to whoever is responsible for catching the person who did it, he said. He is not disclosing the amount.
His brother, who is also his next-door neighbour, noticed the front driver's side tire on his vehicle had been slashed too. He had to have it fixed as soon as he noticed because he operates the Sundre taxi.
According to Martin, the person or persons responsible could be charged with mischief under Section 430 of the Criminal Code, for causing damage to someone else's property.
He encourages anyone with any information regarding this incident to contact the detachment at 403-638-3675 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477).
