The city of Simi Valley has faced a surge of gang-related graffiti incidents in recent months, predominantly targeting the residential West end, according to local authorities. In a coordinated effort to crack down on the vandalism, the Simi Valley Police Department's Special Enforcement Team has apprehended two suspects linked to a local criminal gang, the department announced. Gerardo Villalobos, age 32, was arrested near the 1400 block of Buster St. on June 16 and has been booked at the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department's Pre-trial Detention Center on conspiracy charges.
A second individual, now an adult but a minor at the time of the alleged crimes, was arrested on the 2000 block of Malcom St. and his proximity to the epidemic of tags and defacements further strains a community trying to assert some semblance of control; the suspect’s identity remains undisclosed due to juvenile privacy protections, and he is currently detained at the Ventura County Juvenile Detention Center facing vandalism and conspiracy charges. The Special Enforcement Team, a subset of the city’s Special Enforcement Bureau, is tasked with addressing crimes ranging from public lewdness to narcotics and gang activities.
In a message to the community, the Simi Valley Police Department expressed gratitude for the community's support, stating, "The City of Simi Valley a safe place to enjoy and live," and urged residents to continue reporting suspicious activities. Reports can be conveyed anonymously to the department's tip line or to Crime Stoppers of Ventura County for those opting to stay undisclosed in their tip-off efforts.
The department's proactive measures illustrate a broader commitment to curtailing gang influence and maintaining public spaces free of vandalism and other associated criminal activities; this latest development underscores the community's integral role in fostering a secure environment as the police encourage individuals to come forward with any information regarding the series of graffiti events. Additional tips or pertinent information can be relayed directly to Officer McCollum or through the City of Simi Valley Graffiti Abatement Hotline, the press release detailed.
