Graffiti vandals hit Pueblo West go on $20K rampage in Pueblo West

The Pueblo West View

Juvenile vandals went on a spray-painting spree June 24 in Pueblo West, according to the Pueblo County Sheriff's Department.

Nearly 60 cases of graffiti were reported that exceeded $20,000 in damages, according to Deputy Laurie Kilpatrick, a department spokeswoman.

Deputies arrested a trio of teenage boys - two 17 year olds and a 16 year old.

"The fourth (suspect) is a 12 year old and he's having charges referred to the district attorney," Kilpatrick said.

The teenagers were booked into Pueblo Youth Center on suspicion of criminal mischief and first-degree criminal trespass.

Kilpatrick said the suspects stole the spray paint from the Wal-Mart in Pueblo West.

The vandalized sites include Desert Hawk Golf Course, Cattail Crossing, Pueblo West elementary and middle schools, Lovell Park, Swallows Charter Academy, the recreation center on George Drive, a District 70 school bus and numerous houses, sheds and fences.

"And they got a sheriff's car," Sheriff Kirk Taylor said.

In Pueblo, Police Chief Jim Billings said Thursday that two suspected graffiti vandals were arrested and sentenced in Municipal Court.

Detectives Chad Jeffries and Ronald Gravatt Jr. arrested Amanda Hinger, 21, and a 17-year-old boy in connection to a rash of graffiti incidents, according to a press release.

Hinger was sentenced to 15 days in Pueblo County jail and must pay $3,000 in fines. The juvenile was given 250 hours of community service and must pay $3,000 in fines.