Man Charged With Slashing Tires On 47 County And Personal Vehicles Overnight

LENOIR, NC — Caldwell County officials say a 23-year-old man has been charged with slashing the tires on 47 county owned and personal vehicles parked at the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office and Health and Human Services Building overnight.

Carlton Couto, of Lenoir, is charged with 47 counts of Injury to Personal Property, Simple Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

According to officials, a deputy found the damage shortly before 4am and called Lenoir Police. A responding officer and deputy say they found Couto nearby with drugs in his possession and were in the process of charging him when officers viewing surveillance video determined he was a match to the suspect.

Officials say Cuoto slashed every tire on all but one of the 35 county vehicles and 12 personal vehicles he allegedly vandalized. Officials say two vehicles also had rock damage on the windows.

County officials say repairs to the vehicles are underway, and is expected to cost in the thousands of dollars.