TACOMA, Wash. - A group of hoodlums slashed dozens of tires in a vandalism spree late Friday in northwest Tacoma, causing thousands of dollars in damage - but they didn't get away with it.

A retired police officer witnessed the group heading out to slash more tires on Saturday night, then called for backup from on-duty cops. The group of four suspects was taken into custody on Stevens Street just before 9 p.m.

Police sources told KOMO News that all four of the suspects confessed to the vandalism and told investigators they "did it for the thrill."

The vandals slashed nearly 50 tires on a dozen vehicles parked on several streets in the area.

Now the owners of those cars and trucks - many of them surviving on low or fixed incomes - are trying to figure out how to pay for the unexpected damage.

"You feel a lot of anger. You feel a lot of helplessness," said Even Westerberg after he saw the damage to the tires on his car.

"This hurts a lot. ... Those are almost brand new tires," he said. "It's about the only thing brand new on the car. It takes an effort to do that and it causes a problem for everybody around."

The victims woke up Saturday morning and saw the damage.

Stephanie Jimenez said she is angry and confused at why someone would want to damage the vehicles of hard-working residents in the area.

"Seriously. I don't understand," she said.

Police sources told KOMO News that the vandals not only admitted to slashing the tires, but also said they were planning to slash more tires on Saturday night.

But they never got the chance after the retired officer spotted the group and called in the cops. After the arrests, officers found four knives on the suspects.

Another of the victims, Kathleen Russel, said she is pleased that Tacoma police acted swiftly. She had to pay hundreds of dollars to replace her tires.

"It's the second day of January. We're spending about $600, $700 on new tires. We shouldn't have to dish out that kind of money," she said.

KOMO News tried to talk with the suspects, to ask them if they had any regrets or remorse about the vandalism spree. But they refused to talk.