Four people were arrested last month on suspicion of vandalism, and Camarillo police are hoping the arrests will help put an end to a recent spike in graffiti.
Vandals have been targeting highly visible locations, including freeway overpass signs, since the start of the year, police said.
Deputies received a report of vandalism in progress Feb. 13 on a public bike path near Mission Oaks Boulevard and the 101 Freeway. When they arrived they saw multiple people committing graffiti vandalism, police said. The vandals ran off in several directions and officers chased them.
Three people were caught, though others escaped, police said.
Among those arrested was Edgar Valleche, 34, of Oxnard.
Two teenage boys were also arrested, police said. Later a third teen boy was arrested.
The juveniles are a 14-yearold from Camarillo, a 15-year-old from Oxnard and a 17-year-old from Ventura, police said.
Court records show Valleche has pleaded not guilty to charges including possession of tools to commit vandalism or graffiti, resisting arrest and an illegal weapon charge. He also has at least one serious or violent felony conviction on his record, documents show.
Police said more arrests are possible. Investigators are asking the public to report any suspicious activity that might be related to graffiti vandalism.
—Alex Wilson