Suspected graffiti taggers caught

On Saturday at approximately 9:20 p.m. a resident in the West Juneau area told police two males were spray-painting a residence located along Sitka Street. As JPD Officers arrived to the scene, one of two males on the scene fled on foot. The other male was immediately placed into custody. One of the arriving JPD Officers pursued the second male on foot and placed him into custody approximately one block away.

Officers identified the males as Ernesto Guillen, 19, and a 17-year old. Both are local residents.

Through interviews and evidence gathered at the scene, officers determined that both males had spray-painted various words on at least three garage doors of a condominimum complex and also to a concrete retaining wall along Nowell Avenue. Prior to police contact, Guillen is suspected of hiding a backpack containing several cans of spray paint. The pack and cans were recovered and later placed into evidence.

Guillen was placed under arrest for criminal mischief, a misdemeanor, and tampering with evidence, a felony. He was lodged at Lemon Creek Correctional Center.

The 17-year old was arrested for misdemeanor criminal mischief, resisting arrest — also a misdemeanor — and escape because, after being arrested, police said he tried to flee from the back seat of a marked police car. He was lodged at the Johnson Youth Center.

If residents in the affected area find new damage to their buildings from spray paint, they are encouraged to report it to JPD at 586-0600.