[Adobe Acrobat required]
Wm. S. Hart Union High School District What's Good &
School Board Roundup
College of the Canyons
Breaking News Bottom Line
Newhall School District NSD Today
Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center
The Mighty Oak
Samuel Dixon Family Health Centers Inc. Health Matters
Santa Clarita Valley
Historical Society
Heritage Junction Dispatch
Organization: Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station
Date: March 23, 2009
Vandals Stopped by Neighborhood Watch
Friday, March 21, 2009, 10:39 p.m. — Santa Clarita
Four suspected gang members were arrested over the weekend thanks to an alert Santa Clarita resident, the quick response of deputies, and the follow-up investigation of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's / City of Santa Clarita's COBRA team.
The resident spotted several men spray painting gang graffiti on building walls at Santa Clarita park near the swimming pool Friday night. The resident immediately contacted the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station and deputies converged on the area. When they arrived, the suspects ran in an apparent attempt to get away. Several more deputies were brought into the area and a containment was established. One of the deputies spotted two of the suspects a short time later on Seco Canyon Road near Pamplico Drive and detained them without incident.
Both men, Luis Martinez, MH/18, and Victor Anciola, MH/19, of Saugus were arrested on felony Vandalsim charges and were booked at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station. Martinez is being held without bail pending immigration proceedings. Suspect Anciola posted $20,000 bond today and was released pending future court proceedings.
Deputies report that they recovered a can of black spray paint in the area. They also recovered a digital camera reportedly containing pictures of the suspects standing in front of graffiti covered walls in other areas of the Santa Clarita Valley. The City of Santa Clarita / Sheriff's COBRA team began an immediate follow-up investigation and quickly identified two additional suspects. Detectives also found the other locations where the suspects had allegedly committed similar acts of graffiti related vandalism earlier Friday night. Deputies found the graffiti at Bowman High School, 21508 Centre Point Parkway, Santa Clarita, and Golden Valley High School, 27051 Robert C. Lee Parkway, Santa Clarita. Detectives estimated the total damages to be in excess of $10,000. The two additional suspects, Willie Martinez, MH/19, and Jovan Infante, MH/19, both of Newhall, were arrested without incident at their homes late Sunday. They were booked at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station and are each being held in lieu of $20,000 bail.
"This is exactly how we need to work together to keep our community safe," said Captain Anthnoy La Berge of the Santa Clarita Sheriff's Station. "The observation and immediate actions of this resident put an abrupt stop to this crime spree."
The investigation is ongoing and there is no further information at this time. Anyone with information regarding these suspects or these incidents of graffiti are asked to immediately contact the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station at (661) 255-1121 or report tips anonymously as indicated below. -ref 04974
If you are unable to attend the event but would still like to donate to the families of our fallen heroes or your Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station, stop by the station or contact Sergeant Gregg Lewison at (661) 799-5158. Mail correspondence to the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station: Attention Sergeant Gregg Lewison at 23740 W. Magic Mountain Parkway Valencia, Ca 91355.
