The latest efforts by a multi-agency graffiti task force have resulted in 11 arrests in eight cities and communities at 24 locations in southwest Los Angeles County.
Eight graffiti vandals were arrested Wednesday for causing over $100,000 in damages to Metro buses, rails, and facilities, in addition to schools within the Los Angeles Unified School District and neighboring communities. Three others suspects were arrested for unrelated charges during the 24-location search warrant and probation search operation.
The arrests were made in the cities of Los Angeles, El Segundo, Inglewood, Gardena, Hawthorne, Huntington Park, South Gate, and Torrance.
On July 5, 2011, a taskforce was formed to target vandals that have damaged the school systems within the Los Angeles Unified School District and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s transit system. The taskforce includes the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Los Angeles Unified School District Police, Los Angeles County Probation Department, and a cadre of twenty civilian volunteers with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
During the Wednesday, July 20th operation, officers from several additional police agencies also assisted in the service of search warrants, including police officers from El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Los Angeles, and Torrance police departments.
Search warrants and probation searches of 24 residences and other locations within Los Angeles County.
• 11 suspects arrested, one of whom was a juvenile
• Numerous suspects were additionally charged with possession of vandalism tools
• One father of a graffiti vandal was arrested for possession of marijuana for sales
• A family member was arrested for contributing to the delinquency of a minor
• An arrest was made at a home next to a search warrant location when a marijuana grow house was found
• Simulated handguns were found
• Stolen property was recovered