News Release

National Park Service Rangers catch East Lake resident in act of slashing vehicle tires at Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Slashed rear tire on a Jeep Wrangler.

NPS Photo

News Release Date: August 12, 2019

Contact: Boone Vandzura, 252-475-8307

A 62-year-old male resident of East Lake, North Carolina, was caught in the act of slashing vehicle tires at Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Seashore) yesterday. He is scheduled to appear in federal court this afternoon in Elizabeth City.

Additional details:

• At approximately 3 p.m. on August 11, 2019, the suspect was arrested in the parking lot of Ramp 23, which is located south of the village of Salvo, North Carolina. His arrest occurred after National Park Service Rangers and Fish and Wildlife Officers observed him in the act of puncturing tires on a Jeep Cherokee.
• Since the beginning of 2019, at least 66 vehicle tires have been slashed at Seashore parking lots. Additional tires have been slashed north of the Seashore.
• The majority of the vehicles that were vandalized were sport utility vehicles.
• A variety of investigative techniques were used to catch the suspect.
• Dare County Sheriff's Office, Kill Devil Hills Police Department, Nags Head Police Department, Fish & Wildlife Service, Dare County Communication Center, and the National Park Service’s Investigative Services Branch assisted the Seashore with the case.