Screws Put Holes In Tires And Driver's Pockets - kcentv.com - KCEN HD - Waco, Temple, and Killeen

The drive between Temple and Killeen has been a bit bumpier than usual. Drivers say they're finding something on the roads that's literally putting holes in their tires and a lot of them. 

Driving down 190 from Temple to Killeen wasn't exactly a smooth drive this past weekend for Jonathan Chandler. "We started getting like this whole rattle-y type and feel and sound like as if you were running off the road," he said.

He found two screws in one tire and then another screw the next day. He didn't think much of it until he realized, he's not the only one.

"It was weird. I was standing in line with a whole bunch of people with screws in their tires," said Chandler.

Discount Tires in Harker Heights is fixing an unusual amount of tires in the past couple days alone. "Ranging anywhere up to one or two screws up to five to seven screws in one or more tires. Several are coming in up to 10 or 15 customers a day," said Manager Sid Bergeron.

It's not exactly rare to get a screw stuck in your tire but what's strange is that Discount Tires is saying, they're all finding the same screw.

"Over and over again, we're noticing, and that's what's making it a little, a little odd," said Bergeron.

If you're losing air in your tires. Discount Tires will check your air pressure and for screws. If they find one and if it's repairable, they're repair it for free.

"Usually if it's in the tread it's something that's pretty easy to repair. The shoulder and sidewall are usually not," said Bergeron.

DPS says the culprit could be construction, though they can't quite nail that down. But if debris such as screws are falling off vehicles on the road, you can report it TXDOT or the county. 

Chandler's tires are fixed but he's frustrated."About 400 dollars later, it's not a happy subject," he said." Because now he's also got a hole in his wallet.

It's happening in Fort Hood's Kouma Village too. Military Police received multiple reports and the Directorate of Emergency Services is taking action. They've released the following statement:

"Fort Hood's Directorate of Emergency Services has taken several reports from
people whose vehicles tires were damaged from screws on roadways in the
vicinity of Kouma Village.  Since there is construction in the area, DES is
attempting to validate if the reports are criminal complaints and not
accidental damage.

Coordination is being made with the Directorate of Public Works to get a
cleaning vehicle out to the area to sweep the streets from debris that could
have caused the property damage.

If there is someone who has similar property damage that they feel is
related to a criminal act, we encourage them to make a police report.  

DES is currently looking into all leads related to the reported damages and
if anyone has any information that could lead to the identification of a
possible suspect we ask that you contact the police station at 254-287-4001
or through our anonymous tip line tip411. If you see something suspicious,
please report it."