Tire-slashing suspect arrested in Colorado County

Hayword Kent Harper is alleged to have cut tires on 60 vehicles in city

Posted

Hayword Kent Harper was arrested on a Criminal Mischief warrant in Colorado County on Sunday, July 25, according to Gonzales Police.

Harper was sought in connection with the slashing of tires on more than 60 vehicles in the city on Saturday and Sunday, July 17-18.

Colorado County is about 60 miles east of Gonzales.

Harper, 49, of Sheridan, faces a felony charge in connection with the incidents. The criminal mischief case moved from a misdemeanor to  felony when the estimate value of the damage exceeded $2,500.

According to Gonzales Police Lt. Jason Montoya, the first call came in at 11:56 p.m. on Saturday, July 17 at the 1100 block of Ainsworth Street in Gonzales. Three cars had slashed tires.

Calls continued from residences and hotels well into Sunday.

Witnesses and security camera footage showed a tall, slender black man in a T-shirt kneeling by vehicles, according to Montoya. It was also determined that the suspect was driving a grey Dodge pickup truck.

Montoya said that Harper was pulled over early Sunday morning. He was taken into custody for misdemeanor possession of marijuana. However, the felony-level extent of the tire slashing was not know until later Sunday – after Harper was released from the Gonzales County Jail

While Harper’s residence is in Sheridan, Montoya said he is “well known” in the Gonzales area.

Comments