At least 100 tires slashed by vandals in Silver Lake

SILVER LAKE, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A string of tire slashings has put residents on edge in Silver Lake. Over the last two months, more than 50 vehicles have been targeted. So far, no one has been caught.

Residents say the so-called Silver Lake tire slasher has caused more than $10,000 worth of damages and counting.

For Leondra King, it has been an expensive week as she has fallen victim twice.

"It's a huge inconvenience to keep coming out and your tires being slashed. Then what if you come out and the person's there? That's the thing," King said.

On Tuesday night, two of her tires were slashed on her car, which she parked in her carport. On Wednesday night, two more tires were taken out on her second car, which she parked on Effie Street.

Since October, residents say more than 100 tires have been slashed throughout the neighborhood.

"There's a few things that frustrate the neighborhood the most and that's the financial burden of paying for tires once they've been hit and the psyche -- there's something very terrifying about knowing someone is walking around with a concealed weapon," said victim Dana Kelly.

Residents fear the suspect is growing bolder, moving from the street to the carport. One victim allegedly built a fort around his vehicle after being targeted two times.

"I hear it has been going on for well over months and they've been affected so many times... This is not a good thing for any neighborhood," said Los Angeles City Councilman Tom LaBonge.

LaBonge is now working with residents to get increased patrols in the area in hopes of catching the suspect and calming nerves.

Barbara Oehlert says she was irritated after finding her tires slashed.

"I was supposed to work the next day so I lost a day's work and I had to spend $70 to get two used tires, just in anticipation that maybe it's going to happen again," Oehlert said.

LaBonge says he is working to expand police patrols and install new street lights in the area.