Police: Zip-Ties Across Road Could Kill Someone

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. -- Framingham police are looking for the person who strung plastic zip-ties across a road in that town.

Zip-Ties Strung Across MetroWest Road

Police said that the ties were found strung across Grove Street by Belknap Road at about 10 p.m. Monday and 9 p.m. Tuesday.

The ties were four to five feet off the ground between utility poles -- neck-level for bicyclists or motorcyclists. Police said if someone was riding fast enough, they could be seriously hurt or even killed.

"This could potentially strike someone on the neck if a motorcyclist was driving or a bicyclist," Framingham police Lt. Paul Shastany.

Police are not sure if the incidents were pranks or something more serious.

On Wednesday, police discovered a stash of the zip-ties in the woods.

"This appears to be a concerted effort," Shastany said.

All of the zip-ties were sent to the Massachusetts State Police Crime Lab for testing.

Witnesses reported seeing a white man in his late 20s, about 6 feet tall with a stocky build near one of the utility poles Tuesday night.

Motorcyclists said the incidents should not be taken lightly.

"You always have to look out for the other guy. But here, it looks like they have declared war," one motorcyclist said.

The town has put up an electronic warning sign for cyclists in the area.

"Yesterday when my daughter came home, we saw that sign that went up and I wouldn't let her ride her bike," said resident Mary Dichaira.

"That is very serious. And it is not funny if some kids thought that was going to be a cute prank or something," said resident Susan Whittaker.

No arrests have been made. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Framingham police at 508-532-5923.