WATSONVILLE (BCN) — Police arrested two more graffiti artists Saturday in connection with the Thursday arrest of a graffiti artist suspected in more than 100 acts of vandalism in Watsonville, police said.
Around 11 a.m., police arrested two 17-year-old boys who police believe are part of a graffiti crew called “2D4,” which is short for “To Die For,” according to police. Police said the two teenagers were arrested for apparent retaliation “graffiti bombing” following the arrest of Gilbert Barrios, 18, a graffiti artist known by the name KATS.
On Thursday, officers arrested Barrios at his home after several months of investigation by Watsonville police. Friday night, several businesses along Main Street and in the downtown Watsonville area were tagged, police said.
Police said one juvenile used the moniker “NERO” and the other used “BUENO” or “SE.” Many of the tags referenced the “2D4” crew, which an officer was able to connect to the juvenile vandalism suspects based on information received from other agencies, police said.
Watsonville Cpl. Rudy Lopez contacted the juveniles at their homes and saw they had evidence of tagging, including spray cans, specialty tips, notebooks, and backpacks with “tagging kits” inside.
The teenagers were arrested and booked in juvenile hall on suspicion of multiple acts of vandalism, according to police.
Anyone with information about the instances of vandalism is encouraged to call Watsonville police at (831) 471-1151.