$10,000 in rewards offered in West Philadelphia tire slashings

The city and its police union offered a total of $10,000 in reward money Monday for help in catching and convicting anyone involved in slashing 56 tires overnight in West Philadelphia.

Residents awoke to find 48 tires slashed on Hazel Avenue, from the 4900 to the 5100 blocks, and eight on the nearby 5300 block of Chancellor Street, police said.

The mayor's office is offering a $5,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible. John McNesby, president of Lodge 5 of the Fraternal Order of Police, is offering an additional $5,000 for an arrest.

Shaune Marshall, 20, a Hazel Avenue resident who attends Lincoln Technical Institute, said he discovered a flat tire Monday morning when he was attempting to drive to school.

"It was slashed. I found out 50 other cars got slashed. It wasn't just me," Marshall said. "I had to call AAA. It took an hour."

Marshall called his situation an inconvenience and said he hoped police can find the culprits.

"It's a stupid act. It's just stupid vandalism," said Hazel Avenue resident Jeremy Pushinsky, 27, whose vehicle was not targeted, though many of his neighbors' cars were.

"I'm a little relieved I don't have to buy new tires," he said.

Anyone with information may call 911 or Southwest Detectives at 215-686-3183 or -3184.

Last year, residents of Northeast Philadelphia endured several outbreaks of tire slashings, most recently in September. David Toledo, 44, was charged earlier with vandalizing 55 tires in his Mayfair neighborhood.