A man armed with a knife slashed the tires of two vehicles parked on Hermer Circle NW in Northwest Atlanta in late June, and investigators still don't know who he is. Atlanta Police released surveillance video and photos of the suspect in early August, hoping someone in the community can put a name to the face caught on camera.
How the Tire-Slashing Unfolded
Officers responded at 12:28 p.m. on June 28 to the 200 block of Hermer Circle NW after a vandalism report, according to WSB-TV. A male suspect used a knife to cut the tires on two vehicles parked near each other, and investigators later released the footage specifically to solicit public help identifying him.
No Suspect, No Motive Identified
As of the investigation's latest update, police have not identified the man shown in the surveillance images, and investigators have not released a motive for the tire-slashing, per FOX 5 Atlanta. Investigators also have not detailed any connection between the suspect and the vehicle owners, leaving the reason behind the attack an open question.
A Northwest Atlanta Block Near Collier Heights
Hermer Circle NW sits in ZIP code 30311, just outside the Historic Collier Heights neighborhood near Center Hill, according to Compass Real Estate. The block falls within the Atlanta Police Department's Zone 1 precinct, which covers Northwest Atlanta out of its main precinct on Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway NW under the command of Major Karla Baldini.
Investigative oversight for non-violent property crimes citywide, including vehicle vandalism, burglary, and auto theft, runs through the department's Property Crimes Section under Major William Ricker, according to the Atlanta Police Department. Residents who discover damage after the fact, and who aren't facing an active threat, can also file reports through the department's online self-service portal to get a temporary incident number for insurance purposes.
What Charges Could the Suspect Face?
The legal exposure for whoever slashed the tires hinges on the dollar amount of the damage. Under Georgia Code § 16-7-23, intentionally damaging someone else's property without consent becomes second-degree criminal damage to property, a felony carrying one to five years in prison, once repair costs exceed $500, according to ATC Law Firm. If the combined repair bill comes in at $500 or less, Georgia Code § 16-7-21 instead classifies the act as criminal trespass, a misdemeanor punishable by fines, community service, or up to a year in jail, per Bixon Law.
Simple possession of the knife itself isn't the issue here. Georgia Code § 16-11-125.1 allows people to openly or discreetly carry blades of 12 inches or less without a weapons permit outside restricted areas like school safety zones, according to urban edc. It's how the knife was used on Hermer Circle, not the fact that the suspect was carrying one, that exposes him to charges.
How to Submit a Tip
Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta, a civilian volunteer-run nonprofit that partners with police, is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to an arrest and indictment, according to the Atlanta Police Department. Tips can be submitted fully anonymously through the intermediary group rather than directly to officers.
Anyone with information can call 404-577-8477, text CSGA to 738477, use the P3 Tips app, or visit www.stopcrimeatl.org, according to FOX 5 Atlanta. The case is one of many property crimes competing for attention from a department that, per Wikipedia, fields roughly 1,810 sworn officers against an authorized strength of 2,200 to cover 136.76 square miles and a population estimated at over 529,000.
