Police have arrested a Morgan Hill teen who they believe is
responsible for a rash of
”
tagging
”
throughout the city, according to Morgan Hill police Cmdr. David
Swing.
Morgan Hill – Police have arrested a Morgan Hill teen who they believe is responsible for a rash of “tagging” throughout the city, according to Morgan Hill police Cmdr. David Swing.
“Tagging” is often done by gang members to mark their territories by leaving their gang affiliation or symbols, nicknames or monograms painted on private property. The teen arrested, however, is not believed to be a gang member.
Police say for the past several weeks, “tagging” has been reported at Sobrato High School, Britton Middle School and various locations around the city, including utility boxes, signs and the fence across from the United States Post Office. Swing said the damage is estimated to be at least $5,000.
A 15-year-old male, arrested Feb. 15, is likely responsible for all of the tagging, Swing said. He was arrested when Morgan Hill police officer Jason Broyer, who was responding to 200 Burnett Ave. on a domestic violence report, noticed the teen “crouching down, looking suspicious, trying to conceal himself,” Swing said.
The teen ran from Broyer, but Broyer and Morgan Hill police Cpl. Ray Ramos captured and arrested him. They found a piece of sandpaper in his pocket that he had allegedly fashioned to fit his finger to scratch graffiti onto painted surfaces, Swing said.
The teen was cited for alleged felony vandalism and released to his family.
For a juvenile convicted of a felony, there is the possibility of spending time in Juvenile Hall, but Swing said the purpose of the juvenile justice program is to keep families intact, not to separate them by incarceration. Juvenile Hall is usually reserved for those who commit violent crimes or who have not been able to complete other rehabilitation programs.
The day after the teen was arrested, MHPD school resource Officer Gary Cupps talked to the him at Sobrato High and found in his possession “doodlings that matched the moniker and style of the tagging,” Swing said.
Cupps further investigated the incidents of tagging to tie it all together, Swing said, and the Sobrato student is believed to be responsible for the tagging.
“We’re contacting juvenile probation to see if we can get some sort of electronic monitoring device for him so he can be held accountable for his whereabouts during the evening hours,” Swing said.
