LUCERNE — The Lake County Sheriff”s office reported that a 16-year-old Lucerne male was arrested Wednesday morning for multiple acts of vandalism in Lucerne and Ukiah.
The juvenile reportedly confessed to approximately 30 vandalism crimes in Lucerne and five acts in Ukiah. He is being held at the Lake County Probation Department (Juvenile Hall) on a no-bail hold, a standard procedure for arrested minors before being seen by a probation officer.
The rash of vandalisms began in October of this year, according to a Sheriff”s office press release, when the youth allegedly began spray painting, writing in permanent marker and placing stickers with the message “SiDA IS WATCHING” and “SiDA” on the sides of several Lucerne businesses, including the Lucerne Senior Center, the Lucerne Lutheran Church, Tower Mart, Lakeview Market, Clearlake Queen, Paradise Pizza and the Lucerne Harbor Park, along with several street signs and vehicles.
Detective Brian Kenner headed the investigation, writing four search warrants that lead to the eventual arrest. On searching his home, detectives found spray paint, SiDA insignia stickers, custom spray paint nozzles and stencils of a man”s face with the vandal”s tag.
Lt. Detective Pat McMahon said the vandalisms do not appear to be gang-related. He told the Record-Bee Thursday that the crimes were apparently fueled by boredom, and that the SiDA signature came from a name the suspect used to play online games.
The arrest helped Ukiah detectives close several similar cases, said the Lake County Sheriff”s office report.
Contact Tiffany Revelle at trevelle@record-bee.com.
