Crime & Safety

Undercover Operations In Lake Elsinore Aimed At Graffiti Vandals

Police are working in tandem with Lake Elsinore Public Works to identify graffiti hotspots.

A special enforcement team from the Lake Elsinore Police Department has been conducting covert operations in the city during the month of June aimed at arresting graffiti vandals.

On Friday, the department released some information about the operations. Arrests include one on June 13 when a deputy spotted a 16-year-old from Lake Elsinore tagging an area near Lash and Hunt streets.

“Officers arrested the juvenile and linked him to three acts of graffiti totaling over $400 in damage,” the news release stated.

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Additionally, on June 21, deputies served a search warrant in the 15100 block of Lincoln Street based on information developed from a 17-year-old from Lake Elsinore.

“After extensive investigative efforts, officers linked the juvenile to 13 acts of graffiti vandalism throughout the city with damages estimated in excess of $2,000,” Friday’s news release stated. “Officers located several items of graffiti tools and evidence linking the juvenile to a local tagging crew during the search.”

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The boy was arrested and booked into Juvenile Hall.

The names of the juveniles were not released by authorities.

which includes recovering all costs for from those convicted of vandalism. Police are working in tandem with Lake Elsinore Public Works to identify graffiti hotspots, according to Friday’s news release.

The Lake Elsinore Police Department advises residents to call 9-1-1 if they see a graffiti crime in progress, otherwise call the sheriff's dispatch non-emergency number at (951) 776-1099. To make a graffiti removal request, call the city's Graffiti Hotline at (951) 674-2701, or submit an online graffiti service request form at www.lake-elsinore.org.


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