Enraged Driver Attacks Woman’s Tire with Knife

An enraged 29-year-old motorist is facing criminal charges after allegedly stabbing a woman’s car tire during a traffic altercation.

Authorities have identified the suspect as Alan M. Martinez-Mireles, who was arrested on Wednesday. According to a probable cause statement by the Maricopa Police Department, Martinez-Mireles is charged with recklessly displaying a dangerous instrument, a felony, along with misdemeanor counts of criminal damage and disorderly conduct.

The incident occurred at the intersection of John Wayne Parkway and Edison Road. The victim reported that Martinez-Mireles exited his red Honda Civic and began yelling at her after she cut him off in traffic. She claimed he then brandished a black-handled, 3-inch knife and punctured her rear driver-side tire.

Martinez-Mireles is said to have quickly returned to his vehicle and fled the scene. The woman managed to capture a photo of him in his car.

A witness who observed the confrontation corroborated the victim’s account and stated she heard a loud noise as the tire was punctured. Both women provided law enforcement with photographic evidence of Martinez-Mireles.

Police later apprehended the suspect at a residence on West Vera Cruz Drive in Rancho Mirage. If convicted, Martinez-Mireles could face up to three years in prison.

Jeff Chew is pushing 50 years in journalism after working at large, medium, and small daily and weekly news publications. He retired in 2019 but returned to a digital newsroom after four years of vegetable gardening. Chew has experience in all facets of editing and reporting from various locations including Lake Havasu City, Dallas, Texas, Colorado Springs, and California’s Bay Area. His last position was as a reporter, broadcaster, and editor in Washington state. A graduate of broadcast journalism at Arizona State University, he is also experienced in radio and video news writing and editing.