Police take suspected vandals into custody

Two Woodland teens were arrested this morning near the skate park they were alleged to have tagged Tuesday night.

The teens, ages 15 and 17, are suspects behind a string of tagging that targeted area homes, schools and businesses over the past several weeks, according to a news bulletin issued by the Woodland Police Department. An investigation into recent acts of vandalism is ongoing. Police believe they could be ready to make three or more additional arrests in the “near future.”

A witness told police the teens vandalized the skate park and nearby Napa Auto Parts location Tuesday. They left the area in a red older model Chevrolet Camaro, a witness told police, according to the bulletin.

When the car returned to the skate park this morning, officers closed in.

The two teens are in custody but have not yet been charged.

“It’ll be malicious mischief,” said Woodland Police Chief Rob Stephenson. “But to what degree and how many counts, we haven’t gotten to that point.”

Damage at one building, Stephenson said, was estimated at $1,500. “That would be close to a first-degree malicious mischief,” he said.

The teens are allegedly part of a group of taggers called “Top 2 Bottom.” They are believed to be affiliated with a website (http://www.t2bgraffiti.org/apps/members/membersList?offset=1&q=&sort=DISPLAY_NAME&view=grid) that includes an image of a vandalized rail car.

Stephenson credited the witness for helping police link the teens to the vandalism.

“We have fresh information about another group so once we wrap this one up,” Stephenson said in the press release, “there are others who will be expecting a visit from us.”