Two teenagers were jailed Monday on suspicion of being responsible for more than 900 graffiti crimes that have plagued the city of Vista in recent months.
Sheriff's investigators serving search warrants in the cases this morning arrested Pedro Luis Padilla, 18, and a 15-year-old boy whose name was withheld because he is a minor, Deputy Adrian Moses said.
Padilla, who was taken into custody on Meadow Lark Drive in San Diego, is suspected of committing about 470 tagging offenses in the North County city, using the nickname "Selik."' He was being held in county jail without bail pending arraignment, scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.
Separately, the underage suspect allegedly defaced roughly 460 locations under the moniker "Slik," according to Moses. The boy was arrested on West Los Angeles Drive in Vista and booked into juvenile hall.
Combined, municipal cleanup costs related to the vandalism totaled about $275,000, the deputy said.
