Hidden Cameras Used To Find Serial Sebastopol Tagger: Police

SEBASTOPOL, CA — An arrest was made last week in connection with nearly 200 incidents of tagging throughout the city of Sebastopol, police said. Following a months-long investigation, a 16-year-old boy was booked into Sonoma County Juvenile Hall on suspicion of felony vandalism, police said.

The investigation of the graffiti began Nov. 11 when Sebastopol police responded to a report of vandalism in a public restroom where someone had tagged the letters "PEAK" and "KKS."

Over the next few months, additional victims and witnesses, as well as proactive Sebastopol Police Officers, observed many more identical tags on mostly public surfaces.

In total, nearly 200 separate tags in permanent marker, spray paint and other unknown methods were discovered throughout the city — all of which investigators believe were done by the same suspect.

Police estimate the vandalism resulted in thousands of dollars worth of property damages.

Sebastopol police installed hidden cameras in public places throughout the city in hopes of find the person responsible.

"It worked," police officials said. "Investigators used social media, as well as the assistance of local school officials to identify the suspect, a 16-year-old male juvenile. Based on the evidence, on Friday, Jan. 24, 2020, Sebastopol police went to the boy’s school and arrested the suspect. During this interview, the suspect admitted to committing the various vandalism tags and even attempted to explain some of their meanings. He was later booked at the Sonoma County Juvenile Detention facility for felony vandalism. His identity will remain confidential due to his age."