Police have tire slashing suspects

MARION – The Marion Police Department identified two suspects who were allegedly busy slashing tires on six dozen vehicles over the weekend.

Chief Bill Collins said one suspect has been interviewed, and charges are pending. Another suspect, Winston Kilgore, is wanted on a warrant for a probation violation and for possible involvement in the case. Collins said the two suspects were most likely drunk.

"We've been looking for (Kilgore) all day," he said on Monday. "We hope the public will give us a tip."

Felony charges are pending, because several of the damaged vehicles are used for business.

Marion police probe 68 tire slashings

"Whenever you damage something that is someone's livelihood, it makes it a felony," Collins said.

Kilgore, 23, has blonde hair and hazel eyes. He is 6 feet tall and 170 pounds. His last known address is 551 S. Main St., apt. B.

Jacob Smith, 273 Superior St., said he hopes the person or people that slashed the tires will be required to pay back the victims to cover the cost of repair. The driver's-side tires on his work vehicle were cut, as were the driver's-side tires on his wife's vehicle. His employer paid for the repair of the tires on his work vehicle, but he and his wife had to pay to repair the tires on her vehicle.

"I would really love to get $350 bucks for my tires," Smith said. "If anything, I'd like to see him replace everybody's tires."

He said he was more concerned that the person or people who damaged the tires compensate the victims than that they serve prison time. "He's just ruined his life. If he gets caught, he's going to be a felon now."

Smith said a "lot of blood" was found near his vehicle. "It was on my rims of my personal vehicle. They actually pulled straw from my driveway to try to cover it."

Anyone who has information about the incidents is asked to contact the police department at 740-387-2525 or leave an anonymous tip by calling the TIPS line at 740-375-TIPS (8477).