Gilroy
– Police suspect a group of teenagers from San Benito or
Monterey counties are responsible for a recent spree of vandalism
downtown.
By Lori Stuenkel
Gilroy – Police suspect a group of teenagers from San Benito or Monterey counties are responsible for a recent spree of vandalism downtown.
Numerous downtown buildings were vandalized with both tagging and window etchings on Saturday, April 30.
Gilroy police Investigator Randy Bentson, with the Anti-Crime Team gang unit, said the tagging occurred primarily on the rear of buildings that face Monterey Street and back up to Railroad Street, and was done in black marker and red paint. The suspects also etched windows on some of the buildings, permanently scratching words into the glass.
A large number of teenagers were in the area that night to attend the final concert at Gaslighter’s Music Hall. Bentson said he is looking into whether the suspects may have attended that event.
“There was an event at the Gaslighter the night it did occur. I believe it happened during that or after that, I don’t know,” Bentson said. “I can’t say that every time there’s an event at the Gaslighter, this type of stuff happens – I don’t think there’s a correlation.”
He believes the suspects live south of Gilroy because they made references to the 831 area code in the graffiti.
“I haven’t had a chance to follow up with neighboring agencies to find out if they know who these people are,” Bentson said. “(We) did find one of their monikers, and a lot of times if I talk to school officials or a school officer, they know who these kids are.”
The owners of the buildings that were vandalized will be responsible for painting over the graffiti and replacing the etched windows, which could cost hundreds of dollars.
Vandals have struck several other businesses and smashed street-side windows in the downtown area in the past couple months.
