The Region - News from Aug. 14, 1987

Seven youngsters have been accused of repeatedly defacing RTD buses passing through a residential area near the Los Angeles Convention Center by spray-painting them with graffiti. Police said the youngsters, aged 10 to 17, applied paint and markers on buses that had stopped for a red light or to pick up or discharge passengers near the intersection of Venice Boulevard and Burlington Avenue. Six of the youths were arrested on suspicion of vandalism and released to the custody of their parents, said RTD Police Sgt. Elston Burnley. The youngest was not charged. Burnley said the transit agency intends to seek restitution from the youths’ parents. The incidents followed reports last week of a group of youths defacing RTD buses in the San Fernando Valley, and apparently another group marking buses at 30th and Main streets.