CHARLEVOIX — Homemade tire spikes meant to cause damage to vehicles were found placed in parking spaces in front of the Charlevoix County Republicans headquarters, 123 N. Park St. in Boyne City, on Saturday, Nov. 5.
There is a $2,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible.
According to a press release from John Jarema, chair of the Charlevoix County Republicans, a volunteer stepped on one of the spikes on Saturday and alerted others who had recently parked their cars in the area.
Another spike was discovered in the tire of the vehicle driven by the secretary of the Republicans’ executive committee.
The spikes were made from flattened beer bottle caps, with three roofing nails pressed through, and painted in black to blend in with the blacktop, according to Jarema’s release.
“Whoever attacked our Republican headquarters clearly had intent to commit bodily harm. Our secretary has a small child and could have gotten into an accident in the vehicle which was damaged by a spike. Our board member could have sustained a foot injury. The police officer who came to the scene could have driven over one and gotten into an accident,” wrote Jarema. “Thank God no one was hurt. This is not how Americans fight over the issues. We debate. We vote. We do not physically attack others when we disagree. We condemn this horrible act of violence against our organization, and the families who live in the apartments above our office.”
Subscribe:For the latest in local news
The Boyne City Police Department responded to the 911 call reporting the incident and their investigation revealed “multiple items” were placed near the Republican headquarters “with the intent to cause damage to vehicles parked there,” according to a press release from Boyne City’s assistant police chief Dan Mercer.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Boyne City Police Department at (231) 582-6611.
— Contact reporter Annie Doyle at (231) 675-0099 or adoyle@charlevoixcourier.com