PASADENA >> Three men were behind bars Saturday for allegedly scrawling graffiti in and around Brenner Park in Pasadena, officials said.
Police arrested Allen Rafael Padilla, 19, of Pasadena, Daniel James Blancarte, 18, of Pasadena, and Anthony Medina-Olvera, 19, of Alhambra, on suspicion of felony vandalism after a city worker caught them tagging about 6:30 a.m. Friday at Brenner Park, at Barthe Drive and Mountain Street, according to Pasadena police officials and Los Angeles County booking records.
“A city worker observed the suspects walking out of the women’s restroom at Brenner Park,” Pasadena police Lt. John Luna said. The worker soon discovered that the bathroom had been vandalized with fresh graffiti, along with eight other spots in and around the park.
Officer found and detained the three suspects in the area and arrested them after the witnesses identified them as the taggers, Luna said.
“The suspects were in possession of paint cans and paint markers matching the vandalism,” the lieutenant added.
The vandalism spree caused nearly $1,000 worth of damage, he said.
According to county booking records, Padilla and Blancarte were being held in lieu of $20,000 bail pending their initial court appearances. Medina-Olvera, who had a pre-existing case against him, was being held in lieu of $35,900 bail.