The Orange County Sheriff’s Department confirmed Wednesday it is aware of a suspect slashing tires throughout Rancho Santa Margarita, but cannot take him into custody until they catch him in the act.
Some frustrated residents have confronted the man they think is responsible for the tire slashing and have alerted sheriff’s deputies, but the suspect continues to elude arrest.
“We understand the community’s frustration, but we want to assure everyone we are actively investigating this case and have dedicated substantial resources to apprehending this suspect,” said sheriff’s Lt. Luke South, who is chief of the city’s police department.
Jaimee Blashaw of the sheriff’s department encouraged residents to avoid confronting the man and reminded them it is “always better to call our deputies directly should they see anything suspicious. Getting involved can not only put residents at risk, bit may also put our investigation at risk.”
One resident who emailed City News Service about the issue said there is a Facebook page dedicated to the issue and that she checks it “to see where he is before I leave home.”
Residents say the loss from the tire slashings over the past two months has risen to about $10,000.
–City News Service