Pensioner’s car tyre slashed as police continue to investigate rampage in West Hobart
An elderly woman has been hit by vandals, just days after a savage tyre-slashing rampage in an affluent Hobart suburb, which saw 30 or more vehicles in for repairs. Photos + what to do if you’ve been targeted >>
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A PENSIONER has been left distraught after waking up to find her car tyres had been slashed in a random attack.
This comes after a spate of slashings in West Hobart (below) left more than 30 vehicles damaged late last week.
Frances Riley lives on a normally quiet Sorell street and could recall no major incidents over the past few years, making it a massive shock to see the state of her car when she went to leave for the shops on Monday morning.
“I always just like to check the other side of the car to make sure there’s no damage — I had an egg thrown on it by some kids many years ago,” she said.
“I looked down and saw the two tyres on the driver’s side and thought, ‘oh goodness me, that’s not good’.
“They were brand new tyres, too.”
The incident was reported to the police, with Ms Riley wondering if it could be connected to last week’s West Hobart incident.
About 30 odd #WestHobart residents have woken to #slashed#tyres this morning. #Police are on the scene as the number of affected cars climbs. @themercurycomau#slashedtyres#Hobart#crime#tasmaniapic.twitter.com/8ZHqt4VQg5
— Annie McCann (@AnnieMcCann14) February 18, 2021
However police confirmed they had only received the one report in Sorell, which was now under investigation
She could think of no reason why someone would target her vehicle.
“I stick to myself — I just wish other people would do the same,” she said.
Police are still investigating the slashings at West Hobart.
A total of 36 separate vehicles had their tyres destroyed late Thursday night and early Friday morning in the areas of Browne, Lochner, Pine and Hamilton Streets.
On Friday, police said the spree was carried out by one person with a “small sharp” instrument between the hours of 11pm and 2am.
The person of interest was a male carrying backpack and wearing white-coloured shoes and a cap.
Anyone with information about either incident, or with CCTV footage, is urged to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000 or crimestopperstas.com.au.
Watch the aftermath: 30+ cars targeted by vandals
Annie McCann
Friday, February 19, 2021
WEST Hobart residents woke this morning to discover their tyres had been mysteriously slashed in the night.
The tally of damaged cars and slashed tyres in an unlucky suburb grew to affect 33 vehicles.
Tasmania Police earlier confirmed they were investigating after a number of vehicles were damaged in West Hobart overnight.
Kalli McCarthy was the first local to call police about 7.30am when her husband discovered both tyres on their car had been knifed.
She said the “lovely, quiet” neighbourhood surrounding Pine, Lochner, Hamilton and Browne Streets was thrown into chaos as others woke to the damage.
“Everybody’s cheesed off,” Ms McCarthy said.
“It’s inconvenient.”
Kalli’s garage had been full of boxes following her family’s recent move to West Hobart, with her car left outside overnight.
“We’ve had to organise insurance and a tow truck so it’s a pain in the neck,” she said.
“It’s not nice to know that people are walking around thinking about doing this sort of thing.”
Ms McCarthy was grateful her daughter’s car was unaffected so she could attend her doctor’s appointment that day.
Further down Lochner St, Max Dawes had moved into his new rental only hours before the incident where his tyre was one of many stabbed.
But the strange events didn’t deter him from signing his new lease this morning.
“About 9.30 this morning I got up and saw all of the commotion, there were four or five police cars around.”
Mr Dawes doubted the criminal responsible would be caught.
Around the corner, Caitlin Purvis found her tyre slashed in her driveway along with several others down Pine Street.
Ms Purvis was with RACT crews at her home, as several cars in nearby streets were being examined by Tasmania Police, or tended to by RACT and towed away.
“I was just a bit annoyed because I wanted to go to the beach,” she said.
“It’s going to be a busy day for [police and RACT].
Tasmania Police Hobart station sergeant Paul Johns said based on CCTV footage from the area the tyre popping spree was carried out by one person with a “small, sharp” instrument between 11pm and 2am Thursday night.
“The person of interest that we’re looking for from the CCTV image is a male carrying a backpack wearing white coloured shoes and wearing a cap, unfortunately that’s all we have at this point,” Sergeant Johns said.
“It’s certainly very frustrating, it’s mindless damage that they can’t get away from – they parked their cars in good faith.”
The sergeant said “half a dozen streets” were affected, with results from examinations carried out by forensic officers still pending.
He described the incident as “unusual” and “very uncommon” for the low-crime suburb.
Bob Jane T-Marts Hobart proprietor Phil Burdon said the business was kept busy over Friday.
He estimated the damage incurred a cost of about $500 damage per car amounting to more than $16,000 forked out by the residents.
“I’ve never seen slashings on more than three or four cars at once, this is one of the worst experiences I’ve seen.”
Residents in the West Hobart area on and around Pine and Browne Streets are urged to check their vehicles before travelling and to report any damage to police on 131 444.
If a vehicle owner identifies damage, they are urged to not organise repairs or a tow until after police have attended and taken a report and photos for evidence.
Anyone who has CCTV of the area overnight, or witnessed anyone acting suspiciously, is asked to contact police on 131 444.
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