'Ninja stars' flattening tires in South Lake Tahoe

Drivers in South Lake Tahoe are finding roads more difficult to maneuver this winter, since it seems some malicious prankster is littering roadways with "ninja road stars."

Police have been receiving reports from drivers since November that their wheels have been popped due to "ninja road stars," CBS13 reported. Also known as "caltrops," these pieces of metal are meant to be tactical weapons with one edge pointed upwards when placed on a surface.

Caltrops are used to puncture tires and no matter how it is tossed, it will land with one of its four prongs up. Caltrops like these have been found in South Lake Tahoe and are causing issues with drivers in the area. less Caltrops are used to puncture tires and no matter how it is tossed, it will land with one of its four prongs up. Caltrops like these have been found in South Lake Tahoe and are causing issues with drivers in ... more Photo: Central Intelligence Agency Photo: Central Intelligence Agency Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close 'Ninja stars' flattening tires in South Lake Tahoe 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

One South Lake Tahoe resident warned others about the ninja stars on Nov. 19 on Facebook, and Uber driver Kimmi Phelps reported that she ran over a caltrop in a store parking lot on Nov. 23, according to the Sierra Sun.

When Phelps posted about the incident on social media, three others responded saying they knew of others who had the same thing happen to them.

A tire shop in South Lake Tahoe was quoted by CBS13 as saying he's repaired "dozens" of tires with the same issue since last month. Police said they've received half a dozen similar reports in the past week.

Currently, police are unsure of who is placing the spikes on the road, and have not narrowed down a specific area the caltrops are showing up.