Police Chief Addresses Car Stomping in Mentor

Mentor Police Chief Kevin Knight acknowledged recent instances of car stomping Tuesday, but doesn't think it's a widespread issue.

His department posted a note on Facebook this week about people stomping on parked cars and causing damage. The account later stated that stomping is occurring "all over the city."

Knight said businesses on Tyler Boulevard and Pinecone Drive reported last week that cars there were dented, stomped upon and received broken windshields. Those reports followed similar ones a few months ago on East Avenue. 

"It's not like it's a rash of an ongoing thing," he said.

Knight added that he wouldn't have put the post on social media for fear that it might give people some ideas.

The stomping usually occurs at businesses in industrial parks at night when fewer people are on those roads. He's not sure if the same people have been stomping on the cars.

"There really wasn't a lot of evidence there, but you could see some boot-print marks," he said. "It's not small kids, I can tell you that, but it could be anyone beyond that, like teens."

Anybody with information on suspects to these incidents are asked to contact Detective Mike Malainy at 440 974 5763,  ext. 2124.