Police: Dozens of tire-slashings in Lakewood targeted Jewish residents

Police in Ocean County are searching for the suspect who slashed dozens of car tires in Lakewood, and according to investigators, may have been motivated by hate.

News 12 Staff

Aug 12, 2019, 2:44 PM

Updated 1,741 days ago

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Police in Ocean County are searching for the suspect who slashed dozens of car tires in Lakewood, and according to investigators, may have been motivated by hate.
The tire-slashing spree began Saturday around 1:40 a.m. on cars parked in front of homes.
The crime spree was caught on surveillance video, where you can see someone going from tire to tire with a knife -- stabbing them.
More than 50 vehicles were targeted, and more than 100 tires were slashed at the Old Pine Acres section of town, an Orthodox Jewish community.
Police are treating the incident as a bias crime. A police spokesperson says every single vehicle hit is owned by someone who is Jewish.
It is unknown if that's just coincidence or if it was on purpose.
The neighborhood is about 60 percent Jewish and 40 percent non-Jewish.
The non-Jewish residents stepped up to help their neighbors since the victims were unable to call police in the middle of Sabbath.
The total repair bill for the slashed tires tops $10,000.

Severeal tire repair crews were on hand Sunday to help replace the slashed tires. The neighborhood has started a fund to help families who need help paying for their new tires.
Residents say they still consider their community a "safe neighborhood."
Police are asking anyone with information to call them.


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