Spiked Manhole Covers Causing a Stir

Law enforcement is working with the local wastewater department to track down those responsible for creating hazards in Tucson’s roadways
Spiked Manhole Covers Causing a Stir
Photo courtesy of City of Tucson.

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Metal spikes found protruding from manhole covers have become a safety issue for Tucson, Arizona, motorists. Now, a reward has been offered to help police track down the suspect or suspects involved.

Someone has been putting sharpened bolts into the small holes in manhole covers, blowing out the tires of passing vehicles, KOLD-TV reports. So far, the spikes have damaged at least 32 vehicles over that last eight months.

Local law enforcement is asking for the public’s help identifying who is responsible, offering up to $2,500 for information leading to the arrest of a suspect. Those responsible could face felony charges, says Sgt. Pete Dugan, a spokesman for the Tucson Police Department.

In May, at least 10 vehicles were damaged at five different locations. There were two related incidents reported a month prior, and at least 15 cars suffered tire blowouts on East Golf Links Road on Jan. 28 of this year.

The Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department (RWRD) is in charge of most of the more than 75,000 manhole covers in the service area.

“We have people that are aware of the situation and a number of other groups that are aware, and we’re just trying to be vigilant and do things like this — get the word out,” RWRD Director Jackson Jenkins told KOLD-TV. “Get the story out so that people will hopefully catch the person or persons.”

Police are asking people to call 911 if they see a spike or call 88-CRIME if they have information about the criminal activity.

Source: KOLD-TV



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