Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: Fillmore Police Station, Fillmore
Date & Time: Friday, March 20, 2009. 12:00 pm
Unit Responsible: Fillmore Graffiti Investigations Unit

Suspects, City of Residence, Age,
Juvenile Male, Fillmore, 17
Juvenile Male, Fillmore, 16
Juvenile Male, Fillmore, 16

Fillmore and Piru residents have recently suffered damage to their property as a result of youth gang and graffiti tagging “Krews” who target public and private property.

As a result, Detective Gene Torres is a deputy on a mission. Gene has become our expert in graffiti investigations. On Friday, March 20, 2009, Gene arrested 3 juvenile “tagging” suspects who are Krew leaders and responsible for thousands of dollars of damage.

The three “taggers” were responsible for damaging the Piru Post Office and other private property, over and over again in the Fillmore area. All three juveniles were caught with graffiti tools and evidence. They were released to their parents pending court trials. When prosecuted, they will be required to provide financial restitution to the victims and typically commit to 30- 50 hours of community service. All three were arrested for 182(a)(1) PC / conspiracy, 594(b)(2)(A) PC / Vandalism, and 594.2(a) PC possession of graffiti tools.

Individuals involved in the commission of these graffiti crimes continue to plague our community. We need your help in reporting acts of vandalism and if you have any information related to graffiti crime, please call the Senior Deputy Detective Taurino Almazan at 805-524-2233.