Suspected Tagger 'Caught Red-Handed' In Inland OC

TUSTIN, CA — On Sunday morning in Tustin, police officers received numerous reports of vehicles spray painted in red. Officers were sent to investigate, and noticed a suspicious man in the Old Town area. Making contact, they noted that the man in question had fresh red paint all over his hands.

David Loren Knowles, 44, was initially contacted by Tustin officers about 8 a.m. in the area of Pacific and 3rd streets, said Tustin police Lt. Robert Wright.

"Responding officers discovered several vehicles in the area which had been vandalized with red spray paint," Wright said.

Knowles allegedly admitted to the officer that he had spray-painted cars in the area, Wright said. However, he would not explain a motive for the action. Officers eventually totaled 14 vehicles in the area that had been spray-painted red. The attacks seem to be completely random, Wright added.

"This was excellent work by Officer Ramirez in catching this suspect red-handed," Wright said, the pun too good to let by.

Tustin Police Department Photo