Tires Left Flattened in Downtown Los Angeles NR11538pv

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles police are asking the public’s help in identifying the person responsible for an early morning vandalism spree that left many cars’ tires flattened, including several police cars that had been parked in front of LAPD’s Central Police Station on 6th Street.

Initial information tends to point to an African-American woman wearing a dark hoodie sweat shirt whose image was noted on video near 5th Street and Broadway early this morning.

"We think it is this woman who was going around stabbing tires on cars," said Lt. Paul Vernon, commanding officer of the Central Detective Division.  "We’re aware of a few cars where tires were flattened and we expect more reports to come in as people wake up to go to work."

The spree occurred between midnight this morning (November 18, 2011) and about 2 AM.  Cars affected were parked along Broadway and Spring Streets, between 6th and 8th Streets.

"It’s too much of a coincidence that all the police cars parked in front of the station had flat tires too, so we suspect it’s part of the same spree," Lt. Vernon added.  "Given that, I would expect that we might get some reports of flattened tires near Main Street too."

Anyone who discovers their tires had been vandalized can report the incident to desk officers at the Central Police Station.

Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call the Auto Detectives at 213-972-1242.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247).   Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (1-800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.