The morning commute turned into a roadside headache for residents of Brandon’s south end Wednesday after a night of vandalism left more than 70 vehicles and counting sitting on flat rims.

The mass tire-slashing, which also included some vehicle break-ins, caused tens of thousands in damage, said Brandon police chief Tyler Bates. The incident is now under investigation by the service’s major crimes unit.

“This is not targeted against anyone particular individual. This was random,” he told CBC. “I know it’s unsettling and it certainly causes people angst, but know that you are not alone.”

So far, police reports have included Pine Ridge Crescent, Hawthorne Crescent, Magnolia Drive, Tracy Street, Sycamore Drive, Aspen Drive and Mulberry Crescent.

The suspects were disguised during the vandalism spree. Bates says one suspect was wearing red jogging pants, a red hoodie, a black jacket and sunglasses. The second suspect was wearing grey pants, a grey hoodie and a black vest with black shoes.

Police are seeking any video that can help identify the suspects and have created a special QR code where people can drop footage.

In the Aspen community, Emma Wray discovered her tire was slashed Wednesday morning when her dashboard warning light warned her she had a flat.

“I backed out of my driveway and my reading inside my car said that my tire is at zero PSI,” Wray said.

At first she thought temperature changes had caused a leak until she tried adding air.

“That’s when I realized that it had quite a big hole,” Wray said.

Neighbours confirmed their tires were punctured in the same spot — the sidewall — meaning no patches could repair the tires, only replacements.

A neighbour’s video shows two people checking car handles and slashing the tires.

“Why do you go around and slash like over 100 people’s tires? Like what does it serve you?” Wray asked.

Wray had an appointment with Manitoba Public Insurance on Friday.  She believes the damage will be declared vandalism because there’s so many police reports. If it is declared vandalism, deductibles are waived.

Wray says she’ll need two new tires. Tire treads need to match because if they don’t it can lead to reduced traction and poor handling which can cause drivetrain damage.

At the Groves apartment complex, Wes Werbicki had his front driver’s side tire slashed — his first flat in around 200,000 kilometres. His granddaughter and her fiancé were also hit.

He estimates 22 vehicles alone were damaged in the complex.

“It’s just kind of a shame when you see what people do for no apparent reason,” Werbicki said. “They never broke into my vehicle and stole anything. Maybe they were upset that my vehicle was locked.”

Werbicki has ordered tires — including a full set for his granddaughter — and will seek reimbursement from MPI. He won’t pair a new tire with an old one for safety. 

He wants to see the suspects caught and face harsh penalties to prevent future incidents, he said.

“It is not the people. It’s these vandals,” Werbicki said.

Garth Drakeley, also from The Groves,  was gutted hearing about the damage, but considers himself lucky because his vehicle was spared.

Dozens around him weren’t.

“First thing in the morning, you’re just trying to get your kids to school and then go to work,” he said, and instead they got caught in the cold changing tires. 

He still sees the neighbourhood positively, calling the incident unprecedented.

Kola Ositayo, whose driver’s side front tire was slashed, called police and MPI and learned he was among dozens of victims. 

He’s lived in The Groves for three years and never expected this, Ositayo said.

“You just need to be extra cautious, that’s all.”

What sticks out to him is how everyone came together to help get tires changed. He got to know his neighbours after he came out to help.

MPI  told him to go to a tire shop and a new tire has been ordered. He’s driving on a spare until it comes in. 

For now, Wray’s been leaving notes in neighbours’ mailboxes encouraging people to share any camera footage they have of the vandals. 

Her biggest concern is it appears the vandals returned Wednesday night puncturing more tires.

“The people came back last night and slashed their tires … and continued down the street,” Wray said.

She still fears they will return.

Wray wants a stronger police presence in the neighbourhood after two nights of vandalism. She’s heard of slashing in other areas but nothing of this scale.

“I hope they don’t come back,” Wray said.

MPI told CBC in a statement it has received 59 vandalism claims related to the tire slashing.

WATCH | Brandon police investigating tire-slashing spree: