3 teen suspects identified in connection to racist, vulgar vandalism in Arlington
ARLINGTON, Texas - The Arlington Police Department has identified and spoken with three suspects they believe are responsible for 17 vehicles that were vandalized over the weekend.
Some of the vandalism included "racist and vulgar" graffiti.
Police say home surveillance video helped them track down the teens. Only one of them is old enough to be tried as an adult once they're charged.
Arlington police announced Wednesday that three Hispanic male teenagers are responsible for vandalizing 17 vehicles late Friday night and into Saturday morning in east and south Arlington.
Police say charges will be filed once police total up the damage caused. And since charges haven't been filed yet, the suspect's identities haven't been released.
Although only one suspect's name will eventually be released because police say two of them are juveniles under the age of 17.
According to police, there’s no evidence any of the victims’ vehicles were specifically targeted with multiple races, genders and ages affected.
Investigators say, for now, the teenagers will face criminal mischief charges. But depending on what detective determine the motive to be, hate crime charges could also be filed.
The vandalism included one car on East Timberview Lane, two on Safari Trail, two on Moorhead Court and one on Four Winds Drive.
Arlington police investigating vandalism to vehicles, including racist graffiti
Police are looking for those responsible for racist vandalism that happened in south Arlington.
Wednesday, 18-year-old Jaime Garcia’s white Mercedes sat spotless outside his family’s Arlington home off East Timberview Lane. But four days ago, his car was covered in racist and vulgar graffiti, including the letters "KKK."
"And if you see the time stamp on the dark one, it’s 4 in the morning," he said.
Garcia took his Mercedes to get it professionally cleaned immediately, forced to front more than $1,000.
"I don’t know why kids want to do it because they knew they would get caught wherever they hit. Everyone has cameras now," he said.
Garcia turned over surveillance still of a white van to Arlington investigators.
Just a mile away off Moorhead Court, Julio Rubio’s mother’s white Tahoe still has black graffiti on the side. His mother keeps trying to scrub off what she can.
"That’s not right at all. I’m glad they found them," he said. "It’s just awful. How much money it is to get it fixed."
Rubio’s surveillance camera caught the teenagers during their crime spree as well. Video shows the white van pulling up and stopping in front of the white Tahoe. People climbed out of the van and then quickly drove away.
Arlington police say the surveillance video from the victims and neighbors was critical.
Investigators were able to track the suspect vehicle to a specific area of town where all three teenagers were then located.
"So I was just really confused why they chose to do it," Garcia said.
Police say charges are coming within the next few days.