Flat tire photo by Denny Muller on unsplash.com

Fresno County Sheriff detectives believe they found the reason why dozens of car owners have experienced flat tires while driving through the parking lots of Table Mountain Casino and nearby Millerton Road. 

They arrested Dos Palos resident Matthew Ebner, 53, Wednesday, accusing him of distributing homemade metal spikes designed to stick in and flatten tires around the casino’s parking lot. Detectives believe Ebner was motivated by an ongoing feud with the casino.

 

During a three-month investigation, authorities discovered at least 35 vehicles with flat tires related to Ebner’s suspected vandalism, with damages totaling thousands of dollars.

Investigators worked with Table Mountain police to identify a suspected pickup truck involved with the crimes that was traced back to Ebner. Detectives served a search warrant at Ebner’s home in Dos Palos Wednesday, where they found evidence including the metal spikes, also called caltrops, according to a sheriff’s office news release.

 

Ebner remained in Fresno County Jail as of Thursday evening on felony vandalism charges. His bond is set at $25,000.

Authorities are asking people who may have been a victim of the suspected vandalism to contact the sheriff’s office at (559) 600-3111 or Valley Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-7867.

Tipsters can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward, according to the release.