Art Student Arrested in Graffiti Case

NORTH HOLLYWOOD —  An 18-year-old Cal State Northridge art student was arrested Friday on suspicion of causing about $18,000 in graffiti damage to public and private property in the San Fernando Valley, according to authorities.

Devin Roberts was arrested at his North Hollywood home, said Officer Dwight McDonald of the California Highway Patrol’s West Valley station.

While serving the warrant, officers found five mature marijuana plants growing in two rooms of the residence and also arrested Devin Roberts’ mother, Brenda Roberts, 53, McDonald said.

The two were held at the Van Nuys Jail on suspicion of felony marijuana cultivation, he said.

The arrests culminated an 18-month investigation by a special unit from the CHP’s West Valley station.

The unit is composed of six officers who target graffiti vandalism, particularly on Caltrans property.

The unit also frequently works with LAPD officers to combat vandalism elsewhere in the city.

Devin Roberts, who uses the moniker “Dev,” left his mark in numerous places, mostly around North Hollywood, McDonald said.

Investigators say they found the “tag” on everything from bridge supports and traffic signs to walls on the Hollywood and Ronald Reagan freeways and on private property in the nearby communities.

In the early investigation, McDonald said, CHP officers had learned that “Dev” was the graffiti moniker of Devin Roberts, who had a previous conviction for graffiti vandalism.

CHP investigators contacted Roberts’ probation officer, who said he had not heard from Roberts in months.

Through a probation search, the CHP officers found Roberts’ North Hollywood address. They went there Friday with a search warrant, finding evidence that connected him to the crimes, authorities said.

McDonald said the officers found graffiti-painting paraphernalia and Roberts’ moniker painted on practice sheets and personal property, such as his stereo and speakers.

The officers also found the marijuana plants “in plain sight” and some marijuana ready for use in the living room, McDonald said. He said investigators did not believe that Roberts had intended to sell the marijuana.