SPOKANE-- Deputies with the Spokane County Sherriff’s Office say they are close to making arrests in the South Hill graffiti case.
If tagging South Hill businesses was the criminals' first big mistake, the second was posting video of the crimes on YouTube. Deputy Eric Walker with the sheriff’s office said these suspects are now looking at felony charges.
The tagging started in April. City South Auto Body is one of the first places to be hit with graffiti. The rest of the targets are around 57th and Regal.
The teenage suspects often tag early in the morning or at night.
"Taggers feel entitled. They feel like they can do this. People who are honest, tax paying individuals do not."
This group includes Individuals much like the owner of City South Auto Body Dave McGillevray, who says he’s not painting over the graffiti.
“We’re just waiting for [the] parents to come over and take care of it for us. What are we going to do? I paint it again, and they’re going to come tag it,” he said.
According to Walker, parents are on the hook for at least part of the clean-up costs.
“If these are juveniles, which I suspect they are, parents are responsible for up to $5,000 of those damages.
As seen in the YouTube clips, Walker’s suspects are three teen males. They likely live in the area have been defacing their own neighborhood.
Walker says if anyone has information about the South Hill tagging, they can call Crime Stoppers at 357-5111, or email graffiti@spokanesheriff.org.
There is a reward connect with the tip line.
