Tulsa Police: Officers arrest serial tire slasher

Tulsa Police arrested a man they are calling a serial tire slasher.

Police say Leonardo Cordero appeared to be under the influence of drugs when he slashed the tires on several cars in a neighborhood, along Highway 169, and also at a gas station, all in less than two hours.

One of the victims told police Leonardo Cordero walked up holding a knife, said he was a police officer and had grenades, then slashed her tire and ran away.

Police say the series of 911 calls helped officers catch up with the suspect.

8:40 p.m. Thursday:

A woman called 911, saying Cordero was high on drugs, acting erratically, and slashed all four of her tires, then ran across the street and slashed her neighbor's tires.

"After that, he went on a rampage of slashing other tires, all the way to where he is impersonating officers, threatening people, he's on and off the highway," said Captain Richard Meulenberg with Tulsa Police.

2nd 911 Call:

Officers responded to a call about an Armed Robbery along Highway 169 near 11th Street.

Police say another victim was changing a tire along Highway 169 and says Cordero walked up with a knife, said he was with the police and had grenades.

"She starts recording him because he's saying he is police and if anyone comes near him, he's going to hurt them, he's got a knife in his hand. So, he starts rummaging around through her car," said Captain Meulenberg.

Police say Cordero slashed that victim's tire, then another person's tire, who stopped to help -- then he ran away.

"If someone claims to be a police officer and they are shirtless, holding a knife and claiming they have grenades, they are probably not a police officer," said Meulenberg.

10:20 p.m. Thursday:

Police got more 911 calls saying a man was running around the parking lot, slashing tires at a gas station at 11th and Highway 169. That's when police found Cordero and arrested him.

"It's a huge thanks to the citizens who are out there calling us, letting us know what's happen, but it's also a moment of pause to make sure you are aware of your surroundings and if anyone ever comes up and claims they are an officer, there's some protocols we'd recommend there," said Meulenberg.

If someone says they are the police, but they aren't dressed in a police uniform, ask for their identification or ask for a badge number. If you still aren't sure, just call 911.