3 Suspected in Attack on Graffiti Patrol to Be Arraigned

For two dedicated members of the city’s Pride Committee, the night of April 5 began much like many others: a midnight bicycle ride looking for evidence of graffiti and other crimes.

Although previous outings had made the pair the target of curses, threats and even eggs hurled by vengeful graffiti vandals, what occurred in the early morning hours of April 6 was anything but routine.

In an incident that law enforcement and city officials said was the first of its kind in Santa Clarita, the volunteers were attacked while on patrol and beaten by gang members.

On Tuesday, the first three of five suspects in the attack are scheduled to be arraigned on assault charges in San Fernando Superior Court. Another suspect was arrested last week and is awaiting an arraignment date. The fifth, who is under 18, will be prosecuted in Juvenile Court, authorities said.

The trouble began after midnight when the two Pride Committee members spotted a teenage girl ducking into a dugout on the baseball field at Sierra Vista Junior High School. Believing she might be in danger, they rode up for a closer look and unwittingly interrupted a gathering of local gang members.

After a brief exchange of words, said the victims and sheriff’s deputies, five men savagely attacked the volunteers. The beating lasted several minutes and left the two victims with serious cuts and bruises that required emergency treatment.

One victim received blows that aggravated an old leg injury that might require surgery.

“It was extremely vicious,” said Sgt. Lee White of the Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Station. “They were like a bunch of wolves. They just climbed over the fence, surrounded them and attacked.”

“I was getting punched and kicked from about four directions there for a while,” said one of the victims, Tom, a 67-year-old retired county worker who asked that only his first name be used. His eyeglasses and hearing aid were knocked off during the attack, he said.

“I went down onto the asphalt, and while I was on the ground I got about 15 or 20 kicks in my back,” he said.

The other victim declined to be interviewed for fear of reprisals.

The Santa Clarita Pride Committee is a volunteer force that checks schools, shopping centers and other areas for graffiti and other crimes. Although most volunteers do their patrolling during the day, Tom said he and his partner prefer to ride their bikes late at night when the air is cool and there is less automobile traffic.

Dianna Boone, who supervises the Pride Committee for the city of Santa Clarita, said the attack was the first time a volunteer had been assaulted while on patrol.

“We don’t ask people to go out at night, and most of the individuals don’t go out as late as these two,” Boone said.

“But they are different. They are completely dedicated. Not only to eradicating graffiti, but to guaranteeing the safety and the quality of life for people in Santa Clarita.”

White agreed.

“These two guys go above and beyond,” he said. “They’re in an area that’s infested with graffiti, and they don’t want to see that happen in this community.”

It has been more than 10 years since Tom first began his citizen patrols in Santa Clarita. He carries a camera around his neck, a notebook in his pocket and a can of spray-on graffiti remover in a pouch on his 21-speed bicycle.

While many local scofflaws are familiar with his face, Tom said he preferred not to use his last name out of concern of retaliation against his family and his property. In past years, a window at his home was shot with a BB gun and his car has been splattered with paint.

“I’m not looking to see anyone get locked up for a long time. I don’t hate these guys, and I’m not out for revenge,” Tom said. “At the same time, something’s got to happen to say to these guys, ‘You can’t do this anymore.’ ”

The four adult suspects, all from Canyon Country, are Adolfo Guzman, 21, Joel Paramo Chapela, 23, Jose Luis Lopez, 24, and Antonio Palacio Caballero, 24. Two 14-year-old girls at the scene did not take part in the attack and were not arrested, authorities said.

If they are convicted of the charges against them, the four adults could face up to five years in prison, authorities said.

In the meantime, Tom said he and his partner are back on their bikes. The assault has not dampened his enthusiasm for either midnight rides or community service.

“You better believe I’m going to keep going out. I live in this town,” he said. “As long as I’m physically able, I’m going to be working to get rid of graffiti.”