Crime & Safety

Four Boys, Ages 11 to 15, Detained by San Mateo Police for Tagging Downtown Buildings

The boys are suspected of putting graffiti on at least nine locations throughout San Mateo.

By Bay City News Service: 

San Mateo police detained four juveniles last week on suspicion of spray-painting graffiti on various walls throughout the city.

 According to police, officers responded to the area of Tilton Avenue and B Street at about 11:30 p.m. Friday on a report of graffiti tagging in the alley between the Italian Social Club and Blue & White Cleaners.

 Officers located two juvenile suspects, boys ages 11 and 15, at the intersection of Tilton Avenue and Eldorado Street.  While detained, the boys showed police eight other locations in downtown San Mateo that they had vandalized.

 During the investigation, officers determined that two other boys were also present during the graffiti tagging. Those boys, ages 11 and 14, were contacted at their homes and were linked to the vandalism.

 Police said all four boys were released to their families and the vandalism reports have been forwarded to San Mateo County Juvenile Probation for assessment and possible action.

 San Mateo police are asking the public's help in spotting and reporting graffiti in the community.

 To report a graffiti tagging, call (650) 522-7300. Smartphone users can download the "mySanMateo" app to their mobile device to report graffiti and send a photo.



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