Graffiti Artists in San Jose Arrested for Separate Vandalism Cases

The Brief

• The San Jose police force has apprehended two graffiti artists regarding distinct tagging offenses.
• A single suspect is connected to almost 70 cases.
• Authorities stated that their aim is to convey that individuals who vandalize properties in San Jose will be located and made responsible for their actions.

San Jose - Authorities in San Jose reported the apprehension of two frequent graffiti artists in relation to distinct incidents, stating that these individuals had troubled the downtown region for several months.

One alleged perpetrator supposedly linked to 70 graffiti cases.

What we know

Officials stated that 20-year-old Alex Garcia was behind approximately 70 instances of vandalism aimed at commercial, public, and personal properties. Each act of defacement included the tag "GOOB," which served as a crucial link between the various incidents.

The second arrest was of 19-year-old Josiah Lopez-Villalobos.

Upon his arrest, officials stated that they found a hidden weapon and spray paint in his possession. Lopez-Villalobos faced charges related to firearms as well as gang-motivated felony vandalism.

Officials have stated that their aim is to convey that individuals who vandalize property in San Jose will be located and held responsible.

‘It’s disrespectful'

What they're saying

In San Jose’s Gong Cha tea shop, staff members feel relieved. Although the walls have been repainted since then, their establishment had previously been vandalized with graffiti. They viewed this incident as both a breach of security and an additional cost they didn’t anticipate.

"This is my workplace, having such vandalism shows nothing but disrespect," stated Thung Tang, who works as a barista at Gong Cha.

Officials mentioned they are stepping up efforts to prevent further graffiti from appearing.

Despite graffiti not being a violent offense, it instills a sense of insecurity and disarray within the neighborhood. Thus, addressing and halting these issues, particularly targeting repeat offenders known as taggers, is crucial,” stated San Jose Police Chief Paul Joseph.

The mayor of San Jose has begun recording each infraction he encounters.

“I continually hassle Caltrans, the police department, and the district attorney. I treat this as a personal matter,” stated Mayor Matt Mahan.

He mentioned that tackling blight has grown excessively expensive, and emphasized that the emphasis should not only lie on elimination and awareness but also include enforcement measures.

Mahan stated that annually they collect more than 10 million pounds of garbage and cover approximately 3 million square feet of graffiti. This figure has been increasing rapidly, much quicker than their revenue growth. This implies that it’s reducing funds available for other expenditures we wish to prioritize.

Law enforcement officials stated that both technological resources and tips from local residents played crucial roles in identifying the suspects involved. Authorities expressed their hope that these arrests will serve as a warning to potential future offenders. Community members mentioned that they feel relieved knowing the municipality is taking action rather than ignoring the situation.

“I believe it’s crucial to maintain cleanliness because if you don’t, it signals others to keep neglecting it, leading to an increasingly bigger mess,” stated San Jose resident Daryl Eggers.

Officials are urging anybody who spots graffiti to contact them by calling or using the 311 app to file a report.

The Source

The San Jose Police Department, under Mayor Matt Mahan,