Another tire-slashing incident causes serious damage in North Bay

More than 40 vehicles had tires slashed at a North Bay Volkswagen dealership overnight July 8-9, the latest in a string of similar vandalism incidents.

The Volkswagen dealership in North Bay is the latest victim of a series of tire-slashing incidents plaguing the city.

Police said more than 40 of the dealership’s vehicles had their tires slashed sometime between late in the evening July 8 and 8 a.m. July 9.

Police were called to respond at 8:16 a.m. July 9 to the Volkswagen dealership located at 332 Airport Rd.

“The incident occurred in a vehicle lot situated across the road from the main dealership,” police said in a news release Friday.

More than 40 vehicles

“Upon inspection, it was discovered that tires on over 40 vehicles had been deliberately slashed. This is the latest in a series of similar incidents currently being investigated by local authorities.”

The investigation is ongoing, police said, and updates will be provided when available.

Police didn’t immediately respond to inquiries about a damage estimate and whether the incident was caught on security cameras.

“At this time, we are asking members of the public to review any surveillance or dash cam footage from the overnight hours of July 8 and the early morning of July 9 in the Airport Road area, between Stockdale Road and O’Brien Street,” police said.

“Investigators are particularly interested in any footage that may show suspicious activity or individuals in the area during that time.”

This is just the most recent case. Several municipal vehicles were damaged last month, causing $62,000 in damage.

Started in 2023

Cases of tires being slashed in the city first took place in August 2023, involving multiple vehicles in the area of Lee Park. Then, 22 tires were damaged on vehicles belonging to a business on Worthington Street East in December 2023.

Tires on two more vehicles were damaged at an Oak Street business in April 2024, followed by four vehicles having their tires slashed in August, also on Oak Street.

Cases became more frequent with eight vehicles damaged in September 2024 on McIntyre Street East and five vehicles on Oak Street the same month.

Multiple vehicles then had their tires damaged in the area of Monk Street and near Lee Park in October 2024.

And there were three instances in December 2024 – 56 tires damaged on Gormanville Road; two vehicles damaged on Chippewa Street West; and, 24 tires slashed in a parking lot on McIntyre Street between Sherbrooke Street and Wyld Street.