Tipster helps police arrest taggers
Resident followed teens until deputies arrived

A tip from a quick-thinking Camarillo resident led to the arrests of five teenagers who are part of a suspected tagging crew that police believe are responsible for thousands of dollars of damage along Coe Street between Seybolt and Harris avenues.

The arrests came Monday night around 7:15 p.m. after police received a call from a Camarillo resident who reported seeing a vehicle- driven by a female driver- leave the area, police said.

The resident stayed on the cellphone and trailed the teens until police arrived.

When deputies with the Camarillo Police Department tried to stop the vehicle, they saw the teens throw spray paint cans out of the car, according to police reports.

The deputies arrested four juveniles- three 16-year-olds and a 17-year-old- and Galen Ricewood, a 19yearold Camarillo resident.

Senior Dep. Jason Hendren, head of the department's graffiti task force, said investigators were able to link Ricewood to two different acts of vandalism that occurred earlier this month.

Hendren said Ricewood and the four juveniles were arrested on multiple felony vandalism charges.

In addition, police cited and released the teenage female driver for suspicion of drug possession.

- Daniel Wolowicz