CHICAGO (CBS) — Neighbors in Pilsen are suffering major headaches after waking up to flat tires in multiple incidents caught on camera.
Such crimes are more than just a nuisance. A flat tire is an expensive problem to repair.
Time and time again, a person dressed all in black has apparently slashed the tires of an SUV and a van parked in a private driveway in Pilsen. In a video posted anonymously to social media, the man appears to drive around one of the vehicles so he can slash the tires on both sides.
This wasn’t the only recent report of flat tires in the area.
“I’m driving and I hear a weird noise, and I’m like, ‘What’s going on?’” Cesar Valero said. “I stop and it looks like my tire is flat, there are holes in it. They look like lines, and it looks like there is a cut in it.”
That happened to Valero about three weeks ago, on his way to work in the morning. This week, on Monday, it happened again.
“There was really no damage other than the tires,” he said. “It was a bit strange. Like it was just tires getting punctured.”
Valero moved to Pilsen in September. He doesn’t believe he’s been targeted by anything, and he said his neighbors along Cermak Road and Paulina Street have also been victims of a tire slasher.
“I’ve seen it happen to at least one SUV and one truck,” he said, “just for no reason, you know? What’s the benefit? I don’t see the point in it.’
Valero now spends $150 on tire repairs.
“It’s like, eh!” he said. “Is it going to happen again today? Will I have to deal with this again? It’s especially annoying.”
It was unclear late Thursday whether the incidents were related. But Valero had a message for everyone involved.
‘I just hope they stop. Everybody has things they need to go to – places they need to be, you know, whether that’s work, etcetera, whatever,” Valero said. “You know, if you have an outlet, there are better ways. Being arrested for such a minor crime just seems stupid to me. Like it’s not worth it.’
CBS 2 contacted Ald.’s office. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th). Councilor representatives said they have received reports of flat tires in the area and have raised their concerns with the Near West (12th) District Police Department.
