MISSION VIEJO : Students Help in Graffiti Arrests

Several Mission Viejo High School students helped sheriff’s deputies arrest five boys Sunday evening as the suspects allegedly spray-painted graffiti on the back wall of a golf shop.

“These students not only reported the malicious mischief, but had the presence of mind to photograph the vandals as they were spray-painting the rear wall of the Las Vegas Golf Shop in the area of Crown Valley Parkway and Puerto Real,” Sheriff’s Lt. George Johnson said in a written statement.

“This type of citizen involvement is critical if we are to ever get a handle on this current wave of destructive behavior, and these young people who are willing to get involved shine as an example for all our residents,” Johnson said.

The juveniles, whose names were withheld, were arrested on suspicion of malicious mischief. Four are from Laguna Niguel, the fifth from San Juan Capistrano, Johnson said.

The names of the high school students, who were driving by the business when they spotted the vandalism about 5 p.m., were not released to protect them from possible reprisals.

Since December, the rear wall of the golf shop, which faces Interstate 5, has been vandalized 10 times, Johnson said. Deputies have arrested youths in connection with the vandalism three times since December, but the spot remains a popular target, Johnson said.