Police snag “taggers” suspects

You might have seen this “art” – most people would call it “vandalism” – across Garden Grove and other parts of Orange County.

Expect to see a lot less of it now. Over the past few months, the Community Impact Unit (CIU) of the Garden Grove Police Department has been investigating several monikers used to graffiti properties through the area.

According to the GGPD, these prolific taggings were an eyesore and caused tens of thousands of dollars in damages. In the course of their investigation, CIU Officers conducted surveillance, served multiple search warrants and arrest warrants resulting in twelve arrests; and seized hundreds of spray paint cans, numerous paint buckets, and a loaded firearm.

The arrestees included: Joan Barrera (20 years old of Fullerton), Juan Fernandez (23, of Garden Grove), Carlos Hernandez (23, of Anaheim), Oswald Macias (27, of Garden Grove), Michael Martinez (23, of Garden Grove), Jejuan Munson (19, Cypress), Christian Perkins (29, of Garden Grove), Christopher Roy (26, of Huntington Beach) and four juveniles.

A few of these arrestees have also been responsible for hundreds of graffiti vandalisms over the course of several years, say GGPD officers. While surveying them, the suspects were seen spending several hours a day, in multiple cities and counties, going from one location to the next allegedly committing these crimes. They were even brazen enough to do it while being watched by officers, according to the CIU.

The investigation is ongoing and the GGPD will “continue to proactively pursue those responsible.”