5 Youths Arrested in Simi Auto Vandalism
Simi Valley police have arrested five youths--all present or former members of the Simi Valley High School band--in connection with vandalism sprees in September and October, during which the windows of about 150 cars and trucks were smashed throughout the city, police said Friday.
Detective Sgt. Kenneth Tacke said the youths used bricks, BB guns and a variety of slingshots to smash automobile windows in random sprees, causing about $15,000 damage.
Four of the suspects, all 18, are scheduled to be arraigned Jan. 10 in Ventura Superior Court on charges of vandalism. They were identified as Trent Lunsford, Jody Schoolcraft, Scott Kuntuzos and Jeffrey Ravens, Tacke said.
If convicted, they could be sentenced to a maximum of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine on each count.
The case of the fifth suspect, a 16-year-old, was referred to the county probation department.
Assistant Simi Valley High School Principal Jack Harris said only one of the four older youths is now a student at the school. Harris added that he himself was a victim of the automobile vandalism but declined further comment.
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