19-Year-Old Arrested Over $7,500 in Graffiti Damage

NORTH HOLLYWOOD —  A 19-year-old graffiti vandal responsible for $7,500 worth of property damage was arrested Friday by a special California Highway Patrol task force, authorities said.

Christopher Campos, 19, was arrested at his residence in the 5300 block of Denny Avenue, said Officer Dena Yates. He was being held at the CHP West Valley station, awaiting arraignment on felony vandalism charges.

The warrant was executed by Yates and members of the Community Taggers Task Force--a unit from the CHP West Valley station that works closely with the Los Angeles Police Department’s Van Nuys Division to reduce vandalism in the San Fernando Valley.

Authorities confiscated from Campos’ house a variety of tools used by taggers, including 15 spray-paint cans and 15 color markers, Yates said. His street name--”Arol”--was spray-painted on walls, closets, books and other places inside his own house, Yates said.

The officers said they also found a video and about 100 pictures Campos took of his work on walls, signs and other property along numerous streets and freeways, mostly in North Hollywood, authorities said.

Other items confiscated included stolen Caltrans and Department of Transportation traffic signs.

Friday’s warrant was the 14th operation executed by the task force in the last year, Yates said. So far, 18 Valley graffiti vandals have been arrested.

Suspects arrested for vandalism frequently have warrants for far more serious crimes, according to authorities.