News Release

Cape Hatteras National Seashore investigating multiple reports of vandalized vehicle tires

Jeep Wrangler with punctured tires.

NPS Photo

News Release Date: July 22, 2019

Contact: Mike Barber, 252-475-9032

National Park Service Rangers at Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Seashore) are investigating multiple reports of tires being intentionally punctured at parking areas on Bodie and Hatteras islands.

Additional details:

• Between July 11 and July 21, owners of seven different vehicles reported puncture damage to their tires.
• Five out of seven of the vandalized vehicles were Jeep Wranglers.
• In most of the cases, at least four tires were punctured.
• On July 11, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., four tires were punctured on a Jeep Wrangler parked approximately one mile north of Rodanthe along NC-12.
• On July 11, between 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., five tires were punctured on a Jeep Wrangler parked in the Ramp 27 parking lot.
• On July 12, between 11:30 a.m. and 3:45 p.m., five tires were punctured on a Jeep Wrangler parked just north of Coquina Beach.
• On July 17, between 12:30 p.m. and 5 p.m., four tires were punctured on a Jeep Wrangler at the Coquina Beach parking lot.
• Between 9 p.m. on July 20 and 10 a.m. on July 21, four tires were punctured on a Toyota Corolla at the Ramp 23 parking lot.
• On July 21, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., four tires were punctured on a Jeep Wrangler at the Coquina Beach parking lot.
• On July 21, between 10 a.m. and 10:45 a.m., three tires were punctured at the Ramp 34 parking lot.
• Damage to vehicle tires has also been reported to law enforcement in areas north of the Seashore.
• If visitors witnessed unusual activity near Jeep Wranglers, or the other two vandalized vehicles, on the dates listed above, they are asked to help solve these crimes by reporting tips anonymously.

Please contact the National Park Service’s Investigative Services Branch (ISB) or the Dare County Community Crimeline if you have information that could help investigators, or if you may have observed unusual activity on the dates listed above.

National Park Service ISB Tip Line

• Call or text the ISB Tip Line at 888-653-0009
• Online at www.nps.gov/isb and click “Submit a Tip”
• Email e-mail us

National Park Service Rangers are increasing patrols at all Seashore parking lots and are coordinating investigative efforts with Dare County, Kill Devil Hills, and Nags Head law enforcement officials. These investigations are ongoing and no additional details are available at this time.