The SPPD has been working with other law enforcement agencies as well as area schools to crack down on graffiti violators, including merchants who sell graffiti materials to minors. In recent weeks, more than 20 suspects have been arrested in the Santa Clara River Valley.Law enforcement officials decided to band together to target graffiti vandals after an upswing of vandalism, amid reports that taggers are in a graffiti war that includes visiting other cities for tagging purposes. The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office has also been active with the taskforce, and the courts are being asked to be tougher on graffiti vandals.Graffiti erodes property values, gives observers a sense of unease and can lead to violence if the taggers are gang members or gang-related and graffiti others’ turf or graffiti over another’s tag.
SPPD: Before stakeout even begins graffiti arrests made
April 20, 2005
Santa Paula Police Department
Members of a joint law enforcement taskforce formed to eradicate graffiti have struck again, arresting two juveniles and an adult for suspicion of attempting to graffiti, and a range of other charges that occurred while the officers were setting up a graffiti sting.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesMembers of a joint law enforcement taskforce formed to eradicate graffiti have struck again, arresting two juveniles and an adult for suspicion of attempting to graffiti, and a range of other charges that occurred while the officers were setting up a graffiti sting. The incident occurred Saturday, April 16 at about 9:30 p.m. in the 100 block of Lambert Street in El Rio.Members of the Santa Paula Police, Oxnard Police and Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, as well as the California Highway Patrol, were setting up a stakeout in the area when VCSD Senior Deputy Bryan Probasco discovered the suspects, who appeared to be getting ready to tag using spray paint.Two Oxnard juveniles, ages 15 and 17, were arrested on suspicion of charges ranging from possession of graffiti materials to conspiracy to commit a crime. Ricardo Arguellos, 20, also of Oxnard, was arrested on suspicion of possessing dangerous weapons, conspiracy to commit crimes, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and resisting arrest.
