CLEARLAKE — Attentive citizens contributed to the arrest of two boys Wednesday night in Clearlake. A 15-year-old and a 10-year-old boy were arrested on several charges related to vandalism and participation in a criminal street gang.
“The Clearlake Police Department would like to thank those residents who came forward with information, which led to the arrest of these two juveniles,” Clearlake Police Sgt. R. Joseph said. “With the community”s help and by working in partnership with the police department, together we can make a difference.”
According to Joseph, dispatch received a report around 9 p.m. of two subjects spray painting The Church of Latter Day Saints on Lakeview Way in the Clearlake Village area. Joseph said the church has been the victim of several recent vandalisms.
Joseph and two officers responded to the scene within minutes of the call. The officers took different routes to the church in effort of cutting-off any escape routes for the two suspects. He said the dispatcher kept the witness on the phone so that officer could get real-time updates on the suspects” activities while responding to the scene.
Two juvenile suspects were located on the property by officers M. Carpenter and A. Collier. Both suspects were allegedly found to have fresh blue-colored paint on their hands and the 10-year-old was allegedly found in possession of a can of blue spray paint.
Joseph said officers located blue spray-painted graffiti in numerous areas in a round the church property. “The graffiti appeared to be gang-related and was still wet to the touch,” Joseph said. “Several witnesses were located in the area and interviewed.”
The boys were arrested and charged with vandalism to a church, minor in possession of aerosol paint with intent to vandalize, conspiracy to commit a crime and participation in a criminal street gang. Both boys were transported and booked into the Lake County Juvenile Hall.
