Teen Arrested In Sonoma County Suspected Gang Graffiti Case

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Santa Rosa police say a traffic stop led to the arrest of a 19-year-old suspect after officers linked a vehicle, spray paint, and a confession to a series of gang-related graffiti incidents across Seventh Street and Donahue Street.

Police arrested the teen on Jan. 30 after a Santa Rosa Police Department officer responded to a report of graffiti suspected of being linked to a local gang in the 200 block of Seventh Street.

The officer found additional tagging on multiple businesses along Donahue Street, as well as on electrical boxes, a stop sign, and a tree, according to police.

Police identified a gray Honda Civic leaving the area around the time the graffiti happened, and police obtained the car's license plate information.

On Saturday, another officer stopped the same vehicle for a traffic violation. The officer found several used blue spray-paint cans in the car, consistent with the paint used in the earlier vandalism. The officer recognized the vehicle as being associated with the tagging that happened the week before, police said.

The driver admitted to spray-painting the businesses and other property, according to police. Officers also found what they suspected to be cocaine while searching the teen, identified by police as Erick Francisco Lara Garcia. He was booked into the Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility on suspicion of felony vandalism, promoting or assisting a felony criminal street gang, and possession of a controlled substance.

Police Chief John Cregan said the department continues to prioritize efforts to reduce gang violence through enforcement, prevention, intervention, and education.

“We must remain focused on the root causes of gang violence and seek early intervention to deter youth from participating in gang activity,” Cregan said, noting a partnership with the Santa Rosa Violence Prevention program.

Police also said residents can report graffiti and other non-emergency issues at https://www.srcity.org/515/Report-a-Problem-Online.