![](https://www.adn.com/resizer/fi3H--Gw81If4yQ3MxLKvhC21G8=/1440x0/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-wordpress-client-uploads/adn/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/02095127/160602-Merrill-Field-0008.jpg)
More than two weeks after dozens of airplane tires were destroyed at Merrill Field, Anchorage police continue to investigate the case — with a growing reward now available for tips that lead to an arrest.
Police spokeswoman Anita Shell said in a statement Wednesday that the June 2 slashing of tires on 87 aircraft caused more than $200,000 in damage — and has prompted the creation of a GoFundMe reward fund by the Alaskan Aviation Safety Foundation.
"In addition to the GoFundMe reward fund, Crime Stoppers will pay $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of the person(s) responsible," Shell wrote.
On the reward fund's website, which had raised more than $1,300 toward a $10,000 goal by Wednesday morning, AASF chairman Harry Kieling called those responsible for the damage "the most despicable thugs." He called for the aviation community to contribute and help police, since nobody has been taken into custody.
[Tires slashed on dozens of planes parked at Merrill Field]
"A reward is not generally part of our core mission but this is different and vandalism like this could very easily spill over into sabotage of aircraft and subsequent aircraft non-airworthiness and worse," Kieling wrote.
Shell said Wednesday that police are continuing to pursue leads in the case.
"We've mainly been sorting through video surveillance," Shell said.
According to Shell, the case is important due to both the dangers of vandalizing aircraft and the cost of replacing their slashed tires.
"This is pretty significant vandalism," Shell said. "Those tires are very, very expensive — $2,000 to $3,000 apiece."
Kieling said on the GoFundMe page that if the AASF reward fund isn't a factor in finding those responsible for the vandalism, any contributions will be used to support the foundation's other efforts.
Only tips submitted to Anchorage Crime Stoppers at 907-561-STOP or its website will be eligible for the rewards.