Crime & Safety

Benicia Police Nab Suspects in Ninth Street Tagging

A fingerprint on an abandoned paint can outside the vandalized Cliff's Pleasant View restaurant led Benicia police to two suspects.

Two suspects in the tagging of the abandoned Cliff's Pleasant View restaurant have been arrested by Benicia police on charges of misdemeanor vandalism. Police were led to the suspects by a fingerprint on an abandoned paint can, according to a police statement.

The graffiti was discovered in December, when police patrolling the waterfront area around the 800 block of West Ninth Street discovered the abandoned Cliff's Pleasant View restaurant covered in graffiti, inside and out. 

Officer Fred Ayala and Community Services officer Laura Williams processed the scene, according to police, and found the discarded spray cans. A fingerprint on one of the cans led them to an 18-year-old Vacaville Community Day Prep student. 

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The student was interviewed in Vacaville on May 3 by School Resource officer Will Patterson, who also is the Benicia Police Department's graffiti investigator. According to a police press release, the 18-year-old suspect confessed to the vandalism.  

During the investigation, a second suspect was identified, according to police. The 17-year-old Vallejo resident, a former Benicia High student who is now an independent study student through the Vallejo Unified School District, was contacted Tuesday by Patterson. Police say he admitted that he'd participated in the crime and was arrested on misdemeanor vandalism charges before being released to his parents. 

"This is the type of case that we take pride in focusing on to solve," said Benicia police Lt. Mike Greene in a press release. "This is another example of the good work our staff is doing every day. Graffiti can have a very negative effect on a neighborhood and city, so we pursue each case to eradicate this kind of activity." 

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Anyone with information on cases involving graffiti are encouraged to call Patterson at 707-746-4250. Callers can choose to remain anonymous. People also can report vandalism to Solano County CRIME STOPPERS and be eligible for a reward by calling 707-644-7867.


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