Multiple cars along Selby St. and Franklyn St. in downtown Nanaimo had their tires slashed early Monday, Nov. 11. (submitted photo/Joanne Dee)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

VEHICLES DAMAGED

Man facing charges after over 20 vehicles had tires slashed in downtown Nanaimo

Nov 12, 2024 | 11:55 AM

NANAIMO — A 39-year-old man is facing potential mischief charges after an apparent tire slashing-spree targeting downtown vehicles.

Police were called to 20 vehicles in parking lot in the 200 block of Franklyn St. as well as another three parked on the street in the 300 block of Selby St., in the early morning hours of Monday, Nov. 11.

Cst. Sherri Wade told NanaimoNewsNOW attending officers were able to easily review security footage from a nearby property, which helped a great deal.

“It was very good quality. The officer was able to see the surveillance video with the property manager’s assistance, then through that was able to identify a male coming and going from, I suppose, his personal car. And you could actually see the person slashing the tires.”

A vehicle matching the one seen in the video was spotted a short distance away, as the officer was leaving the scene, according to Wade.

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After checking the vehicle’s registration, officers attended the owner’s address and found a man matching the one seen in the footage.

Wade said the man doesn’t have a past record with police and mischief charges “would be appropriate” given the nature of the alleged crime.

She was unsure on how many counts would be forwarded from investigators to Crown Counsel.

Wade added officers were unable to hold the man in custody indefinitely, due in part to his history and the nature of the crime.

“We have to look at do we know who the person is? Does the person have a history of not attending court? This person does not. Does the person have the intent or means to do it again. So in this case, that could happen, but the two of the three if they’re satisfied we have to let the person go.”

The man was released on several conditions, violation of which would result in another arrest and appearance before a judge.

Investigators are asking anyone with security or dash cam footage of the area in question, between 11 p.m. on Sunday night to 1 a.m. Monday, to contact the Nanaimo RCMP at 250 754 2345, quoting file number 2024-36980.

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