By Ray Henry, Boston Globe
Footprints left in the snow enabled Gloucester police yesterday to track down a teenager who allegedly slashed the tires of more than 100 vehicles in the downtown area, officers said.
Police obtained a warrant for the arrest of Zachary J. Eastman, 18, after they tracked footprints leading from a car with slashed tires and a shattered window to his home at Mondello Square early in the morning, said Police Chief James Marr.
Marr said officers first noticed the vandalized cars around 3 a.m. and police began receiving calls from irate owners about dawn. Some of the 136 vandalized cars also had smashed windows, he said.
During a search of Eastman’s home, officers found a sawed-off shotgun, a double-edged saber, and other illegal knives, Marr said. He said the tires were probably slashed with a knife.
A warrant was issued for Eastman’s arrest charging him with malicious destruction of property and possession of dangerous weapons, Marr said. Eastman fled his home yesterday and has not been seen since, police said.