The Police Department was alerted to an increased presence of Graffiti at Rancho Dos Amigos Park, in the 2200 block of San Luis Street.
Sergeant Jesse Ceja from the Police Department’s Code Enforcement Division was providing extra patrol of the area, when he noticed a group at the park. The sergeant watched as two females began defacing a park bench with spray paint. The girls each took turns using a spray can to vandalize the park bench as the other acted as a “look out.”
As Sergeant Ceja approached the girls they attempted to conceal the spray paint can, not realizing the sergeant had been watching them. 19-year old Selina Estrada and a 17-year old juvenile were arrested and charged with vandalism. Estrada was also charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
In addition to criminal charges, the Department has issued $375.00 in administrative fines for violations of the municipal related to graffiti. The parents of the responsible juvenile were issued a citation for the graffiti prohibited section of the City’s municipal code. This will cost Estrada and her juvenile cohort’s parents upwards of $850.00 in restitution and fines.
“Graffiti is not a victimless crime; it is a crime against not only the property owner, but the public as a whole. Graffiti causes thousands of dollars in damage annually and destroys the appearance of our community. Our Public Works Department does a wonderful job keeping our parks clean and graffiti free. Together we take a zero tolerance stance towards those who choose to deface our City and we will pursue prosecution to the full extent of the law.”
-Jason Hedden, Police Commander
To leave an anonymous crime tip call 209-827-7070 Ext. 288. If you have access to a computer and the internet you can also leave an anonymous tip at the Police Department’s web page at www.losbanos.org. At the bottom of the “Contact” page simply click on the “report graffiti and other crime” link or visit the Merced Area Crime Stoppers by telephone at 1-855-725-2420, or at www.mercedareacrimestoppers.org
