The Riverside County Sheriff's Department has made significant headway in a vandalism spree that has left its mark, quite literally, across the Coachella Valley. According to a report released by the department, two men have been arrested following a string of graffiti incidents that tallied up more than $10,000 in damages.
During an extensive investigation spearheaded by deputies from the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station, it was determined that the marks of “ONCES,” “ELEVENS,” “11s,” and “RACHET” scattered across freeway bridges, electrical boxes, and private properties were the handiwork of 27-year-old Austin Levens from Desert Hot Springs, as well as, 23-year-old Jayce Creeden of Rancho Mirage. In a coordinated sting operation on October 14, special enforcement teams led a crackdown on the suspects, successfully executing search warrants at two residences that turned up a treasure trove of vandalism paraphernalia.
The haul retrieved from the raids included some 170 cans of spray paint, over 100 spray paint tips, custom stickers, graffiti-tailored books, and a collection of over 300 paint markers, as detailed by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department. These findings have since led to the arrest of Levens and Creeden and they've been charged with felony vandalism and conspiracy while being held at the John Benoit Detention Center. The arrests were a concerted effort involving the Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells, and Palm Desert Special Enforcement Teams.
Although authorities have pulled the curtain back on this urban blight, the investigation persists, and the Sheriff's Department is urging anyone with information to step forward. Deputy Jacob Paull with the Rancho Mirage Special Enforcement Team can be contacted at the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station at (760) 393-3220 with any pertinent details.
