Slashed tires believed to have been politically motivated

VAN BUREN COUNTY, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) – Deputies in Van Buren County want to track down the people who went on a tire-slashing spree.

Three cars had tires slashed around the Village of Bloomingdale on Sunday morning.

One of the victims of the tire slashing say the incidents weren't random. All three victims are village officials in Bloomingdale, and all three are in danger of getting recalled.

"It's just an unfortunate situation all around," said William Rawlings.

Rawlings came outside to go to work on Monday to find an unpleasant discovery.

"I just thought I had a flat, then I got out and both these tires were slashed," said Rawlings.

And Rawlings wasn't alone in seeing his vehicle struck, two tires on Toni Rankin's truck were also slashed. Rankin, like Rawlings, is a village trustee in Bloomingdale. Village president Tom Rock was also made a target.

All three officials face recalls, the county approved petition language at the start of September, and citizens now have about six months to gather 35 signatures for each of them. Then the voters will decide, likely in February of 2010, whether the three will remain in office.

"So I'm sure that has a little bit to do with why we got our tires cut," said Rawlings.

The three all supported the suspension of Village Police Chief John Josten without pay. Josten pleaded guilty to assaulting his wife in April.

William Rawlings has served the village for almost four years, and now he's worried about what village politics will lead to.

"Maybe they were trying to send a message, but my concern is what is going to be next?" asked Rawlings. "Is this going to escalate?"

Anyway with informations about the slashed tires is asked to call the Van Buren County Sheriff's Department at 269-657-3101.