Convertibles targeted in downtown Indy neighborhoods

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - People who live in downtown Indianapolis neighborhoods say someone is targeting their convertibles. Just this month, there has been a rash of convertible top slashings. Someone slits the tops of convertibles, sometimes taking things from inside the car.

In the past three days, there have been at least four convertible tops slashed near 13th and Alabama streets. 24-Hour News 8 found neighbors who say there have been far more incidents this month – all in downtown neighborhoods.

Joseph Lese was getting ready to go to work on Monday morning, when he woke up to the unpleasant surprise.

“I had just left my car outside in the parking lot – thinking that there wouldn’t be any problem. I go to my car Monday morning and I had this. At first, I have to take a moment to figure out what exactly I’m looking at – it’s kind of a shock factor,” said Lese.

A rectangle-shaped hole was sliced into the top of his convertible. Lese said nothing was missing, he doesn’t store valuables in his car. He also avoids parking in the street. He said his car was one of two convertibles sliced in his well-lit parking lot.

“My car was parked right underneath one of the flood lights. So for someone to come back through the parking lot and actually do this is pretty gutsy,” said Lese.

Now, he can’t drive his car because of the rain. Lese is using Uber to get to work, and storing his car in the garage.

Earlier this month, the same thing happened to Jennifer Wagner, who lives in Catham Arch.

“It was a perfect rectangle. It obviously had been done very deliberately,” said Wagner.

Nothing was taken from Wagner’s car either, but police reports show the suspects took items in other cases.

“When you live downtown, you park on the street, you know sometimes bad things happen and you don’t leave things of value in you car. So when something like this happens, it’s even more frustrating because the only damage they did was to the car – and they didn’t get anything,” said Wagner.

24-Hour News 8 took a quick drive down Alabama Street and almost immediately found another convertible with the same slash. Victims said the repairs are costly.

“From a property damage standpoint, it basically totaled the car,” said Wagner, “People don’t understand. You smash the window of a car, you’re committing a couple of hundred dollars worth of property damage. To replace a convertible top is anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000.”

Lese has to order his replacement parts from Japan, making it a very expensive repair.

“$8,500 parts and labor and tax. Which is ridiculous for someone’s mischief,” said Lese.

The victims just hope this expensive vandalism doesn’t lead to a more serious crime.

“In this downtown area you’ve got a lot a people, going to the bars and restaurants on the weekend. It’s concerning to me from the standpoint of having a very sharp, very large knife in the act of committing vandalism. I would certainly hate to see someone surprise that person and get harmed physically,” said Wagner.

Wagner and Lese both used Next Door to warn neighbors of the crimes. Others quickly reported similar incidents.

“There are incidents like this downtown. It’s just part of living downtown unfortunately, but we can all help each other out whether it’s using social media like Next Door or other things to get the word out,” said Lese.

IMPD is investigating the convertible top slashings. Officers said they don’t have a suspect or surveillance video yet. IMPD recommends people with convertibles downtown park in garages, and always file a report when these incidents happen.

“If you see something suspicious — anything out of the ordinary — call police. That’s what they’re there for. Everything is data driven these days. So if someone doesn’t call, that’s one missed opportunity that otherwise could prevent something like this,” said Lese.

If you have any information, call Crime Stoppers at 262-TIPS.