Dozens of Tires Slashed on New Jersey Block in Overnight Vandalism Spree: Police

Authorities in a New Jersey neighborhood are looking for the vandal who slashed dozens of tires on 22 cars in a single night.

Detectives have released a sketch of the suspect, who was spotted lurking in the Bergen County township of New Milford the Friday night the tires were slashed. Police think he used a flathead screwdriver, and in one case, even carved a graphic message on the hood of a car. 

"It seems very mean-hearted and destructive and pointless," said Cheryl Yepez, one of the tire-slashing victims. 

Neighbor Kara Yannotti, who also found her tires slashes, characterized it simply as "creepy." 

The vandal struck between 1 a.m. and 5:30 a.m., cutting tires parked along Charles Street, McKinley Avenue and Madison Avenue, according to police. Neighbors wonder what the motive was. If it was a prank, it was a costly one. Yepez estimated she had to spend over $200 to replace the tires, while Yannotti spent $700.

New Milford police said the suspect will be getting the bill.

"We want to get these people restitution for the damages incurred because it's a big burden on them," said New Milford Police Chief Frank Ramaci.

Yannotti said she can't wait.

"I'd love a check. He knows where to write it to, apparently, he's crawling around my driveway at 3:00 in the morning," she said. 

A reward is being offered in the case; anyone with information is asked to contact police at 201-261-1400. 

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