27 Tire Slashings Investigated In Santa Rosa, 1 Arrest Made: PD

SANTA ROSA, CA — A tire-slashing spree last week in Santa Rosa remains under investigation, with one arrest made in connection with two of the 27 reported slashings, officials with the Santa Rosa Police Department said late Wednesday afternoon.

According to Santa Rosa police, dispatchers received numerous reports Wednesday, Jan. 16 and Thursday, Jan. 17 about vandalism to vehicles in the downtown area and in the vicinity of the Santa Rosa Junior College District, police said in a news release.

The reports involved the slashing of tires on approximately 27 cars by an unknown suspect or suspects, police said.

Investigation of the rash of vandalism led to the identification of a suspect, Thomas Jigme Wheat, a 43-year-old resident of the city, in two of the alleged slashings, police said.

Police currently are accusing Wheat of one felony count and one misdemeanor count in connection with the vandalism incidents.

Sonoma County jail records show Wheat was booked into jail at 4:35 p.m. Wednesday. His bail was set at $6,000.

The investigation is continuing, police said, with a reward of up to $2,500 offered by Sonoma County Alliance's "Take Back Our Community Program" for information leading to the arrest of the suspect or suspects involved in the vandalism incidents.

Anyone who thinks they may have witnessed any of the tire slashings reported last Wednesday and Thursday is encouraged to call SRPD's Property Crimes Team at 707-543-3575.

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