Alaska police seek help in airport tire-slashing probe

ANCHORAGE — Authorities are seeking the public’s help in investigating the widespread slashing of airplane tires at a small airport in the Alaska’s largest city.

Police in Anchorage are asking area businesses and others to check surveillance footage recorded between midnight and 5 a.m. Thursday. Police believe that’s when the tires on 87 small planes were cut at nearby Merrill Field, on the edge of downtown. Aircraft tires can run as high as $2,000 each.

Police spokeswoman Jennifer Castro said Friday investigators also have reviewed Merrill Field security footage, but she declined to discuss what was found.

Police said it’s possible the vandal or vandals entered the premises on foot from the south side of the airport.

Merrill Field is home to about 830 aircraft.

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