Driver Accused Of Slashing Car Tires During Road Rage Incident In Alameda

ALAMEDA, CA — A driver was taken into custody following a road rage incident where they allegedly slashed someone else's tires with a knife in Alameda, police said.

The incident started on Tuesday near Broadway and Otis Drive, according to the Alameda Police Department. It's unclear what prompted the initial response from either driver.

But police say the argument escalated when one driver began making threats while the other pulled out a knife and slashed their tires, police said.

The suspect with the knife drove off, but they were quickly located in the 1600 block of Hibbard Street, police said.

They were taken into custody on suspicion of brandishing a weapon and felony vandalism, police said.

The other driver, who had their tires deflated, was detained, cited and released for making criminal threats, police said.

Police say this was just one of several road rage incidents the department has responded to in recent weeks.

Last week, another driver was assaulted and pepper-sprayed during a road rage incident, police said.

"Road rage can escalate quickly and lead to serious consequences," police said in a statement Wednesday morning. "If you find yourself in a conflict on the road, do not engage. Do not get out of your car to confront another party. It is never okay to weaponize your vehicle or engage in unsafe roadway behaviors as ‘revenge.’"

Instead, call authorities at 9-1-1 or, for non-emergencies, 510-337-8340, the APD said.