Police: spike in graffiti in the city of Watsonville

Watsonville Police Department said they have been conducting increased patrols after an increase in recent graffiti within the city.

Five juveniles have been arrested in three separate cases where taggers have been interrupted by patrol officers, police said.

The following arrests were made according to the police department.

Nov. 24 at 4:56 p.m. two 15-year-old’s were arrested and two other suspects fled the scene after a citizen reported the incident in the area of 314 West Beach Street. Both of the suspects were cited and released to their parents. Nov. 27 at 1:00 p.m.two 17-year-old juvenile suspects were arrested and face several charges including felony vandalism. A citizen reported seeing both suspects spray painting a wall in the area of 35 West Beach Street. The suspects tried to flee on foot but were captured by police a short distance away. Officers said they canvassed the area and were able to locate at least 30 fresh graffiti tags on multiple business wall in the area. The juveniles face several charges and were transported to juvenile hall, said police. Nov. 27 at 3:02 p.m.a Police officer and saw two juveniles near a school sign. The officer witnessed the 13-year-old defacing the school sign with a felt tip marker. This juvenile fled by foot but the officer was able to detain the second juvenile.Other officers arrived and were able to capture the 13-year-old a short distance away.This juvenile was arrested for vandalism, cited and released to his parents. The second juvenile was released without any charges.

The police department said they are conducting follow-up on these graffiti cases in effort to identify other taggers and tagging crews who have been commiting these acts of vandalism. The department is asking anyone with information about these types of crime to call the Watsonville Police Department Investigation Bureau at 831-768-3350.