Police: Suspected graffiti tagger arrested in Petaluma

A 17-year-old Petaluma youth suspected of a nearly year-long spree of gang-related graffiti tagged around the city’s southeast side was arrested Thursday, according to police reports.

Police believe that the teen was responsible for at least 13 separate incidents of gang-related graffiti that have been investigated by the Petaluma Police Department since May 2016, according a news release from the department. Graffiti associated with the Norteno street gang was located on fences, sidewalks, telephone poles and homes, Sgt. Brian Miller said.

On Feb. 1, police identified the Petaluma teen after reviewing surveillance video that allegedly captured him in the commission of an act of vandalism. After determining that the teen was on probation for assault, officers conducted a search of the juvenile’s home, where evidence linking him to the gang-related vandalisms was uncovered, according to police.

The juvenile was arrested around 8:30 a.m. Thursday morning and booked into the Sonoma County Juvenile Hall on suspicion of felony vandalism and gang enhancement, police said.

Police are asking the public to report instances of related graffiti to Officer Hansen at 707-781-1202.