GRAND FORKS, ND (trfnews.i234.me) – Matthew Vincent Morris, 31, who is accused of slashing tires on 50 vehicles in a single night last fall, changed his plea to guilty on Monday, May 13.
Morris is charged with Class B felony criminal mischief, resulting in more than $10,000 worth of damage. The charge carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.
He was arrested in October, just over two weeks after Grand Forks police discovered dozens of vehicles with deflated tires in the area of Ninth Avenue North and 10th Avenue North, according to a press release.
During the early stages of the investigation, law enforcement determined that 83 tires had been damaged, resulting in at least $17,296.16 in repair and replacement costs. This figure was expected to rise as more repairs were completed, according to an affidavit in the case.
Officers initially spoke with Morris on the night of the incident. He had been walking in the area but claimed he hadn’t seen anything, the affidavit stated.
Shortly after, Morris allegedly called Grand Forks dispatch to provide a suspect description. The following day, surveillance footage was submitted that showed a suspect later identified by law enforcement as Morris.
Sentencing is scheduled for 10 a.m. on June 11.