Police continue to investigate caltrops found in Brackenridge

Tarentum police now have about a dozen reports of caltrops on First and Brackenridge avenues in Brackenridge.

They continue to investigate the origin of the small multispiked metal objects, said police Chief William Vakulick, whose department covers Brackenridge.

They haven’t had any reports since Tuesday evening.

Vakulick said the caltrops are very small — about 1.5 inches — and they would slowly drain the air from tires rather than causing major accidents.

Large truck tires would remain largely unaffected, he said.

Shawn Creevey, manager at Highland Tire in Natrona Heights, Harrison said all three Highland Tire locations had been seeing an increase in customers because of caltrops.

He was able to remove a few from tires and, upon inspection, said they looked “like machined pieces of metal.” Vakulick said the material was made of hard metal or steel.

Creevey said the angle of entry when sharp objects come into contact with car tires determines how much damage is done and how much a customer may have to pay for repairs.

Tire replacement costs can vary from vehicle to vehicle, but Creevey said customers haven’t been pleased with the repair cost.

“It’s nothing cheap,” Creevey said. “This is definitely … an unseen expense for no reason.”

Brett Colt, 31 of Brackenridge said he ran over a caltrop on his way home from Deer Lakes Park.

“I opened the door, and I could hear hissing,” he said. “When I got out, I could see it in the tire.”

Colt ended up having to plug the hole in his tire for $30.

Vakulick said the caltrops are an inconvenience for drivers, but his real safety concern is for pedestrians, children and animals who may stumble across them.

“Even on animals they cause injuries and pain,” Vakulick said. “Who in their right mind would do this?”

He pointed out caltrops can be purchased on Amazon, where they are listed as “anti-theft” or “anti-bird” spikes.

Vakulick said the caltrops found in Brackenridge appear to be homemade.

Colt believes if there is someone making and dropping caltrops on the street, they may be trying to prevent people from speeding down First Avenue, which he says happens often.

“But that doesn’t really make sense … ” Colt conceded. “Because then you’re just making it more dangerous at that point.”

Police continue to investigate, but camera footage of First and Brackenridge avenues hasn’t yielded any results.