One adult and two juveniles were arrested for their part in a rash of graffiti throughout town.
 Southwest Gas was one of the buildings “tagged” during a rash of graffiti vandalism last week. |
Investigators found that Torres had bought the paint that was used for the graffiti.
The first juvenile, whose name was not release because of his age, was charged with five counts of criminal damage and two burglaries, Gonzalez said.
The criminal damage charges were the result of five separate locations of graffiti. Police also linked the juvenile to a burglary of the Douglas Visitor’s Center, where a digital camera was stolen. The second count of burglary was for entering the Huber Middle School to commit the criminal damage.
The juvenile told police that he would continue “tagging” even if he kept getting arrested.
Police also charged a second juvenile with two counts of criminal damage for graffiti around town. Police are continuing their investigation and more arrests are pending, he said.
Because of the “tagging” styles of the adult and the juveniles being consistent with other recent graffiti throughout the city, police were able to connect them to several other damages.
Douglas police and GIITEM were closely monitoring the known graffiti hot spots when six juveniles and one adult were found damaging the inside walls to an abandoned warehouse building west of the Douglas Police Department with graffiti. The juveniles ran from police, but were later apprehended.
The recent rash of “tagging” is not related to gang activity, but rather to new groups called “tagging crews”. The “taggers” are not associated with criminal street gangs; instead, they compete with other “tagging crews” in the area on their “artwork”.
Police are urging the citizens of Douglas to report the damage immediately, at the time of occurrence if possible, in order to help curb the crime of criminal damage. It is the only way to stop these “taggers”, as is apparent by their unruly nature and comments, Gonzalez said.
“The community needs to work together to put a stop to the grafitti problem. It is not only an eyesore, but it devaluates property values and encourages further criminal activity,” Gonzalez said.
To report any criminal activity call the Douglas Police Department Crime Check at 364-4433. Tips may be made anonymously.
Comments
Losing Hope wrote on Jul 22, 2008 1:11 AM:
B wrote on Jul 20, 2008 8:24 PM:
tag your it wrote on Jul 20, 2008 7:58 PM:
sain wrote on Jul 20, 2008 2:09 AM:
avop wrote on Jul 20, 2008 1:51 AM:
CORE wrote on Jul 20, 2008 1:47 AM:
m wrote on Jul 17, 2008 1:59 PM:
sman wrote on Jul 16, 2008 6:49 PM:
JayDee wrote on Jul 16, 2008 4:29 PM:
If the parents cant control their kids "artwork", then they can paint, repair or pay to fix, their childrens talent. Hold the parents responsible as well. "
Amber wrote on Jul 16, 2008 2:31 PM:
Why not put up a wall, or let them have part of the large drainage ditch that runs along pan american, Where these kids can put up their "Artistic" abilities? There fore, they can tag over eachothers tags, or have contests, or designated area's for each team, instead of the whole city of douglas? Then, they can show of their artistic abilities without damaging property. "