On October 8, 2014, at approximately 10:57 pm, Officers from the Menlo Park Police Department conducted a graffiti sting in an attempt to apprehend subjects who have been spray painting graffiti on the Ringwood foot bridge which runs from Pierce Road over Highway 101 onto Van Buren Road.
During the operation, two male subjects were observed in the area and appeared to be spray painting on the foot bridge. When Officers attempted to contact the subjects, one subject ran over the footbridge towards Van Buren Road. Two Menlo Park Police Officers had already taken a post at the base of the footbridge and apprehended him as he exited.
The subjects were identified as East Palo Alto resident Hector Nieblasbastidas (18) and East Palo Alto resident Flavio Gomez (18). A search of their property and person revealed numerous spray paint cans and markers along with illegal narcotics. The investigation into the extent of their graffiti around San Mateo County is ongoing. Nieblasbastidas and Gomez were later booked into the San Mateo County Jail on the following charges;
594(b)(1) PC, Vandalism of $400.00 or more
594.2(a) PC, Possession of spray paint
182(a)(1) PC, Conspiracy to commit a crime
148(a)(1) PC, Resist or Obstruct a Police Officer
11350(a) H&S, Possession of a controlled substance
Anyone with information regarding this incident is being asked to call the Menlo Park Police Department at 650-330-6300.
