2 Teenagers Arrested in Vandalism Spree

Claiming a victory for graffiti-cleanup efforts, Los Angeles police and public officials announced the arrest Monday of two teenagers accused of defacing dozens of businesses in the west San Fernando Valley.

The two 17-year-old boys were booked on suspicion of felony vandalism and released to their parents. The district attorney will decide whether to file criminal charges.

Los Angeles Police Det. Todd Henkel said the boys had defaced more than 50 businesses since September, including restaurants, nail salons and a pet food store in Canoga Park, using spray paint and glass-etching liquid. The suspects were arrested after a tip from school police, Henkel said.

Detectives found more than 200 cans of spray paint at the home of one of the boys, but the most severe damage was caused by the etching liquid, Henkel said. The material ruins storefront windows, which cost hundreds of dollars apiece, he said.

The arrests, made under the city’s graffiti-removal effort called Operation Clean Sweep, were announced at a news conference at the LAPD’s West Valley Division. Councilman Dennis Zine, officials from the city attorney’s office, and Los Angeles Unified School District police attended.

Operation Clean Sweep began in 1987 with $500,000 and now has an annual budget of about $6.3 million citywide, officials said.

Chief Deputy City Atty. Terree Bowers said his office would evaluate the arrests to determine whether more aggressive legal action should be taken against the parents of teenagers accused of vandalism.

Bowers said prosecutors could file criminal charges against parents, such as contributing to the delinquency of a minor. But, he said, there would be exceptions for hardship or situations in which parents could not control their teenagers.

“For parents who think tagging is an exercise of artistic freedom, we want them to be clear there is a price to be paid, literally,” Bowers said. “Parents who negligently supervise their children could also be held responsible.”