Up to 60 cars scratched and slashed in overnight vandalism rampage along East Ave, Black Forest
Unknown vandals have gone on an overnight spree in an upmarket Adelaide suburb, slashing the tyres and scratching the duco of up to 60 cars including those parked in driveways.
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Up to 60 cars have had their tyres slashed and duco scratched during a wild overnight crime spree at Black Forest.
Residents living on East Ave and surrounding streets woke to find their vehicles had been damaged sometime between 10.30pm on Tuesday and 1am on Wednesday.
Detective Chief Inspector Scott Fitzgerald said police are investigating possible links between the vandalism and a neighbourhood fight on David Ave about 1am.
He said a 22-year-old from Black Forest was arrested and charged with assault and fighting in a public place. Another man, a 33-year-old man from Black Forest, was reported for fighting in a public place. Both will face court at a later date.
A 47-year-old woman – who was allegedly assaulted – was treated for an abdominal injury in hospital.
“We’re not sure how many people are involved (in damaging cars),” Det Insp Fitzgerald said.
“It’s pointless behaviour. Whoever has come around and done this has impacted a large number of people.”
Police and Crime Scene investigators were out in force surveying the damage and reporting more incidents on Wednesday morning.
Fingerprints have been lifted from some vehicles and might shed light on those responsible for the rampage.
Most of the cars damaged during the attack were parked on Laught Ave, Aroha Tce and East Ave.
One father, who wished to remain anonymous, said his wife’s car wouldn’t move forward with two flat tyres.
“It’s frustrating and annoying, it’s pre-planned and they’ve come out to do it,” he told The Advertiser.
“I came out to take the little one to school, I was shocked. My wife was about to leave too, her car just couldn’t drive with two tyres slashed.
“My daughter’s car was slashed too.”
Another East Ave resident whose tyre was slashed said he was surprised because the car had been in a driveway off the street.
“It was away behind two unlocked gates, so they must have been determined,” he said
He didn’t realise the damage until he was driving along Marion Rd and felt the car “go really weird”. Then the tyre blew.
One family living on Laught Ave found five of their cars had flat tyres.
Nine people living in an apartment complex on the same street also had their car tyres slashed.
Resident Vicki said the offenders should be “forced to pay for all of the damages”.
The total number of affected cars is unclear because some slashed tyres had already been fixed, and not reported to police, before the scale of the rampage became apparent.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
If you find your car damaged call the Police Assistance Line on 131 444.
Police are also appealing for CCTV footage from the area.
Last month, two teens were charged after trashing nine cars and setting one on fire in an Elizabeth car yard, leaving an estimated damage bill of $20,000.
