17-year-old male from Humboldt was arrested Friday, December 5, 2014, at his home for several charges including Aggravated Criminal Damage x3 and Criminal Damage x5, along with drug charges.
Between November 3rd and the 15th, 2014, the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office received numerous reports of vandalism involving spray painted graffiti around the Dewey-Humboldt community. Incident locations include a Baptist church on Highway 69, the Humboldt Elementary School, US Post Office, activity center, library and other private properties.
Background – In late November, a YCSO deputy began looking into a series of tagging/graffiti vandalism incidents throughout his patrol area. After reviewing a series of reports, the deputy noticed the graffiti markings appeared similar in type, style, and color, indicating a single “author” willing to vandalize properties in town including a church and school. During follow-up, the deputy recalled prior contact with a 17-year-old disorderly juvenile a month earlier that lives near the church that had been vandalized. The deputy was able to find several social media sites connected to this juvenile and saw images similar to or an exact representation of the graffiti seen throughout town. The juvenile also made ongoing reference to drug use on these sites. A records check indicated the juvenile was also on active probation.
Based on the investigation, the deputy was able to obtain a search warrant for juvenile’s home which was served Friday, December 5th. The juvenile/suspect answered the door and was detained. During a search of the suspect’s home, deputies found evidence linking him to graffiti crimes throughout Dewey-Humboldt along with items indicating ongoing drug use/possession. In the presence of his probation officer, the suspect admitted to the multiple vandalism cases and drug use.
The suspect was transported to and booked at the Prescott Juvenile Detention Center on the indicated charges.